Infectious portrays a disturbing, sterile world where it is forbidden to come within a metre of anyone else, and where a totalitarian regime exerts absolute control over its people through fear of disease. Welded Theatre is a new Bristol-based arts company, founded last January by Meghan Leslie and Edmund McKay. Their avowed intention is ‘to create reflective theatre that takes on contemporary subjects.’
Written and directed by Ms Leslie, Infectious is a dystopian vision of a future when it appears that communicable diseases have developed such strong resistance to treatment that all physical interaction has to be strictly limited and can take place only with government approval. An outbreak of the common cold could cause many deaths. There is strict population control, and individuals are allocated to small, isolated townships that have been carefully planned to have an appropriate mix of DNA-matched residents. A mass advertising campaign is underway to persuade everyone to have a chip implant that will monitor all aspects of their health, and more. So far, so Brave New World.
We meet Molly, a rather naïve young woman who has never seen a sick person, a naked body, or even a baby. She is deeply attracted to Sam, who is equally inexperienced, and it is the development of their illicit relationship and the consequences that ensue that forms the core of the play. In contrast there is another couple, Jacob and Maggie, who are by no means soulmates, but whose pair-bonding has official approval. Keeping a watchful eye is Mrs. A, a government official who sees spontaneous affection as nothing less than an act of terrorism.
Infectious raises challenging questions, not least about the possible consequences of DNA profiling. There are some pleasing ambiguities, too. Is the common cold really such a danger to this society, or is their government using the threat of a deadly epidemic as a means of control? We are not told. However, I feel that some ideas could be made more forcefully, and at times the writing is a little flat. There are moments when there is an uncertainty of tone, and opportunities for more clearly delineated contrasts in mood are not always taken. However, Anna McKiernan gives a very engaging performance as Molly, the tender-hearted girl who can discard her government-issue medication when she finds true happiness. She is well-matched by Justin Palmer as Sam, and the two of them make an endearing couple of innocent rebels. Infectious has many strengths, and Welded Theatre is most certainly a welcome addition to the Bristol arts scene. ★★★☆☆ Mike Whitton 21/04/15
