Yeast Nation: The Triumph of Life – Southwark Playhouse, London

A review of Yeast Nation: The Triumph of Life at the Southwark Playhouse. It’s not for everyone, but if you like your evening’s entertainment to be a bit bonkers then this could be for you!

Yeast Nation

Please let me preface this by saying that I don’t recommend this show for everyone. If you’re the type of person who sees a listing for a musical about ancient yeast and thinks “sounds fun!” then please proceed. If you like things that are a bit more down to earth then this probably isn’t a good pick for you.

So yes, a musical about ancient yeast. A society of yeast in fact. Approximately 3.5 billion years ago. Living at the bottom of the sea in a period of attempted stasis after previous overindulgence depleted their natural resources. This is the concept, dreamed up (possibly under the influence of something?) by the creators of 2001’s surprise musical hit Urinetown. I was actually surprised to read that Yeast Nation debuted in 2007. I don’t quite know why this is. Maybe it seemed to me like the sort of thing you might take a punt on if it’s brand new. Reaching a decision to stage the UK premiere 15 years on is less of an obvious decision making process to my mind. But hey, maybe that’s why I don’t work in theatre.

As I watched it, several thoughts went through my mind, including but not limited to:

• Is this some sort of Robin Hood deal with redistribution of salt crystals (the yeasts’ food)?
• Is it an anti-conservative narrative?
• Is it about religious or political orthodoxy?
• Is it actually about environmental messages: overconsumption and overpopulation?
• Is it a very inaccurate lesson on evolution?
• Why did my theatre-going buddy think for some reason that this was a play about the history of the wheat market?
• Why are all the yeasts Northern?

By the end, I’d come to the conclusion that it was maybe a bit of all of the above. Still not sure about the Northern accents though, or what was going on in my theatre buddy’s head).

A Bit Like Marmite – Love It Or Hate It

So what was the plot that led to all this confusion? Well, there is a king (Jan the Eldest – Christopher Howell), who overindulged in his youth and now doesn’t want anyone else to. His son Jan the Second Eldest (Stephen Lewis-Johnston) is one half of the young lovers, along with Jan the Sweet (Hannah Nuttall). While Jan the Second Eldest goes against the ‘Strictures’ and ‘rises’ to find a whole new world near the surface, his sister Jan the Sly (Mari McGinlay) and plotting royal advisor Jan the Wise (Shane Convery) are plotting to take the throne. So it’s quite a standard dramatic plot, almost Shakespearean, backed up by old-timey language.

But still, it’s about yeast! So all in all it’s rather bonkers. The set by designer Diego Pintarch evokes a deep sea setting quite simply – his costumes are the more inspired part. They involve lycra body suits with tulle puffs. Plus plenty of surprise reveals which support the plot. The lighting design by Nic Farman shifts gears along with the twists and turns of the narrative. And Lucie Pankhurst’s movement direction is committed – keeping up a floating underwater world throughout.

Perhaps the best thing, though, is how committed the cast are too. Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis have written a musical with the power of a big Broadway show, even if the story is a little more niche. And the cast, which deliberately includes a lot of new graduates, really go for it. Maybe they don’t quite hit every note. But they are 100% there, singing their hearts out as tiny little yeast cells from billions of years ago. Lewis-Johnston and Nuttall were stand-outs for me in this regard, as well as Marisa Harris as Jan the Famished – last seen by us in Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera]. While the character work from McGinlay and Convery showed equal commitment and passion.

So again – if you aren’t someone who likes theatre that’s a bit mad, this is probably not the show for you. It was certainly unique, and not something I will forget soon!

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 3/5

Yeast Nation: The Triumph of Life on until 27 August 2022