THEATRE

Animal Management

Sweet Novotel (Venue188)

Inspired by the psychological experiments of both Stanley Milgram (fake electric shocks administered by unwitting subjects) and Philip Zimbardo (architect of the recently discredited Stanford Prison Experiment), this production from the student-led Sundial Theatre Company depicts six low-achieving teens confined to a summer school until they buck up their grades.

Jointly overseen by a teacher and a corporate middlemanager, the kids must all abide by a strict code of conduct – if one of them misbehaves, they’re all punished. This leads to some interesting social dynamics – dynamics that the teacher is keen to mitigate, but that the corporate manager insists are all part of the drill.

The young cast are green but engaging, lending a truth to their hormonally-charged characters. The script tries a little too hard to be on-trend – there are a few too many references to the “post-automation” future where the story takes place – but that’s a minor niggle in an otherwise pacy and involving yarn. The production’s strongest element is its set design: a series

of colour-coded strip lights, which change depending on the students’ actions, create a clearly visible sense of tension.

NIKI BOYLE

Until 12 August. Today 3pm..