KYOTO Review: An unflinching, urgent, and deeply cinematic piece of theatre that forces us to confront a haunting reality

Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s New Play is nothing short of a masterwork.

★★★★★

History tends to repeat itself, especially when greed is at stake. Murphy and Robertson have crafted an enthralling political drama that transports us to the high-stakes negotiations leading up to the landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol, capturing the tension, the desperation, and the underhanded tactics of big oil interests trying to halt climate progress. With razor-sharp dialogue, breathtaking direction by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and an impeccable cast led by Stephen Kunken, KYOTO is a theatrical event that demands to be seen—and, more importantly, remembered.

At its core, KYOTO is a play about power: who wields it, who manipulates it, and who suffers in its wake. The brilliance of Murphy and Robertson’s writing lies in their ability to take a complex, decades-old political battle and transform it into a gripping, immediate drama that resonates profoundly today. Watching the negotiations unfold—layer by layer, betrayal by betrayal—feels eerily familiar, as if the same conversations, the same resistance, and the same greed-fueled deceptions are still happening behind closed doors. And, of course, they are.

The most chilling figure on this political battlefield is Don Pearlman, played to perfection by the phenomenal Stephen Kunken. As the former Reagan-era Department of Energy lawyer turned ruthless oil lobbyist, Kunken delivers a mesmerizing performance, embodying Pearlman’s slick, calculated charm and his relentless pursuit of sabotage. He is the ultimate antagonist—not in a caricatured, mustache-twirling sense, but in the terrifyingly real way that corporate lobbyists still operate today. Pearlman is the man oil companies trust to derail climate action, using every trick in the book to stall, distract, and disrupt the fragile negotiations. His efforts ultimately fail in the long run, but the damage he inflicts is catastrophic, and his presence on stage serves as a stark reminder of the forces still working tirelessly to block progress in the name of profit.

Daldry and Martin’s direction is nothing short of genius. They transform the @sohoplace theatre into an immersive conference hall, placing the audience directly in the heart of the negotiations. Upon entering the theatre, each audience member is handed a badge, designating them as delegates from various nations. While there is no interactive element, this subtle touch immediately establishes the stakes—we are not just passive observers; we are part of history. It is a brilliant, atmospheric decision that heightens the tension and makes the audience complicit in the drama unfolding before them.

Visually, KYOTO is astonishing. Daldry and Martin, fresh off their work on Stranger Things: The First Shadow, have crafted a production that feels almost cinematic in its execution. Scene transitions are seamless, with projections and lighting shifts transporting us across different conferences and high-pressure moments with fluidity and precision. There is an energy to the production that never wanes—meetings are interrupted, deals are struck in hushed conversations, and at every turn, there is a palpable sense that history is being made, or perhaps more accurately, unraveled.

The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent, portraying an array of international representatives, advisors, and negotiators with incredible nuance. Their ability to shift between roles and embody the unique political and cultural perspectives of their respective nations adds to the depth and authenticity of the piece. Every voice matters in KYOTO, and that is precisely the point—the play reminds us that global cooperation is both fragile and essential, and that a single obstructionist, backed by deep pockets, can send the entire world teetering toward disaster.

KYOTO is more than just a history lesson—it is a dire warning. Though the events it depicts took place over a quarter-century ago, the battles it portrays are still raging today. Climate denialism, corporate greed, and political sabotage are not relics of the past; they are active, insidious threats shaping our present and future. The play serves as both a gripping theatrical experience and a call to action: if we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it.

In a time where our climate crisis is only worsening year after year, KYOTO is a reminder that we cannot afford complacency. It is a five-star triumph, a necessary piece of theatre, and an unmissable experience that will leave audiences shaken, enraged, and, most importantly, galvanized.

KYOTO - @sohoplace

Attended on 21 February 2025