Review: A FINE IDEA at Arcola

Stuart King 15 June, 2026, 23:21

There is a cruel irony in the fact that some of the most worthy subject matter tackled by playwrights can, despite noble intentions and the talents of everyone involved, on occasions appear didactic in delivery. A FINE IDEA fits into this category simply by virtue of wanting so desperately to inform, anger and galvanise its audience.

A Fine Idea at Arcola Theatre. Ella Bryant, Georgina Rich, Grace Saif, Kevin Trainor (copyright Beatice Updegraff)

There are many causes about which the citizens of the world will unite. Starving, malnourished children with inadequate sanitation or medicine, is one such topic guaranteed to focus global public opinion. But public opinion isn't what changes catastrophes, even with the vociferous earnestness of well-meaning advocates like Bob Geldorf and Bono to stir-up interest — on which note look out for a playfully icky recording studio spoof.

It's the late 1940s and Ben Hardy (Kevin Trainor) believes he has just the right policy idea to incorporate oomph into newly elected President Harry S. Truman's inaugural speech. As part of the now famous “Four Points” address, International Development with its power to transform the lives of those in poverty, becomes a cornerstone of the new administration's agenda. It will have the added bonus of giving the United States a foot in the door when it comes to developing extractive industries with grateful nation trading partners. Aside from exclusive deals to secure valuable resources, the aid programmes will significantly increase global reach and influence, thereby stymieing the insidious and increasingly brazen red claw of communism.

Zoom forward to the present day and idealistic Jo (Ella Bryant) is following in the footsteps of Ben her grandfather. She's working for a Western International Aid outfit in Kenya alongside pragmatically realistic Laura (a suitably stoic and watchable Georgina Rich). Encountering a GenZ activist Kala (Grace Saif) who is part of a ground swell protest against the government's punitive new finance bill, Jo gets swept-up in a compelling but naive crusade with little thought for the consequences or the obligation to maintain neutrality in her role.

Geopolitical influence, corruption and the global economic systems which keep poorer nations in their place and beholden to wealthier powers, is delivered at a gallop. It accounts for a considerable portion of the aforementioned didactic approach which offers little by way of balance or historical context, instead deciding to leverage a parallel between Jo's predicament and the determined but ultimately disenchanted Florence Nightingale (also Ms Rich) and her own perceived ineffectiveness in key areas during the Crimean campaign.

Ultimately then, an ambitious effort by writer Christine Bacon whose aim to elucidate the sinister overreach of developed nation states bent on maintaining global power and influence, proves informative. However, even with the benefit of Charlotte Westenra's considered direction, delivery of the whole, doesn't quite live up to its dual ambition of being entertaining whilst enlightening. A FINE IDEA indeed, but not fully a fine play… yet. I look forward to seeing the results of any further development.

A FINE IDEA continues at Arcola until 4th July and plays 90 minutes straight through without interval.