Bucket List Battersea Arts Centre/touring London 4/5

Donald Trump ’s current promise to “create American jobs” in his attempt to renegotiate, or possibly “tear up,” the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) is almost identical to the promise Bill Clinton made when he announced the deal in 1994.

Less has been understood of the human and environmental cost it has had on the poorest country of the triumvirate — Mexico.

Theatre Ad Infinitum’s latest show sets the record straight in the most brilliantly, perplexing manner.

An adept, all-female cast of seven rapidly navigates the tragic life of a feisty young woman, Milagros (Tamsin Clarke), who was born on the day the agreement was signed.

As a result of its implementation the town in northern Mexico, in which her family have lived for generations, is turned upside down by a sudden influx of the world’s most notorious multinational corporations.

As economic and environmental degradation begin to affect the health of the townspeople, it is left to them to protest — led by Milagros’s mother Maria (Deborah Pugh).

When she is gunned down at a protest there is little to protect Milagros, who is a product of the unrestrained brutality of the world around her.

With violence and corruption of her own, she takes matters into her own hands, as the play drifts seamlessly into a fascinating hyper-reality. As the play unravels, you find yourself willing her on, even as she commits heinous acts.

And here lies the moral conundrum at the heart of the play. When non-violence is met with consistent brutality, what is the route to freedom? Nir Paldi’s text resists from positing answers, leaving the audience with many questions. 

But there is much more besides questions. Live music, a hilarious cover of Britney Spears and some fantastic cameos from the brilliant Shamira Turner make 90 minutes fly by.

As it is touring around the country throughout March and April, make sure you see it if you get a chance.

Until March 4 2017 at the BAC, box office: (020) 7223-2223.