The Nether

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court, London SW1

4/5

Jenny Daley’s play at the Royal Court is a highly intelligent and thought-provoking piece.

Set in the near future, the Nether is a sort of supercharged internet which enables the creation of immersive, interactive, virtual environments. 

One such is the Hideaway, the invention of Sims (Stanley Townsend), in which he is able to indulge his paedophile proclivities while making a few quid on the side.

 In this future world It has become possible to export one’s conscious identity into an avatar of your own choosing and thus play out sexual and other fantasies in a virtual world. 

The Hideaway is a Victorian mansion set in a glorious garden at the turn of the 19th century in which Sims as Pappa acts out a paternal and frolicsome relationship with his daughter Iris (Zoe Brough). On a much darker note Iris is regularly visited by other clients whose intentions go far beyond frolicing and extend through sexual abuse to bloody murder.

The net police are on to Sims and have planted a spy, Woodnut (Ivanno Jeremiah), in the Hideaway to gather evidence and bring him to book. 

Sims is confronted by net detective Morris (Amanda Hale) who demands the location of his server so that his site can be dismantled. Morris also interrogates Doyle (David Beames), a distinguished academic nearing retirement who is so taken by the Hideaway that he is considering going into suspended animation so that he can take up permanent residence there.

Sims argues that there is no actual illegality in what he provides and that indeed, by facilitating a virtual environment in which those afflicted by socially dubious, and dangerous obsessions are able to enact their desires, he is making the real world a safer place. 

Morris takes a more authoritarian and moralistic position arguing that these thoughts and behaviours are unacceptable regardless of whether they take place in a real or virtual environment. 

The penalty for Sims for not disclosing the location of his server will be  the loss of his log-in and permanent exile from the Nether.

Theatrically this is a compelling and rewarding experience. The set design (above) by Es Devlin is stunning. The transition from the drabness of the interrogation room by way of projected, computer-generated and animated graphics to the sumptuous world of the Hideaway is technically brilliant.

The acting is superb. Brough in her theatrical debut as nine-year-old Iris gives an assured and confident performance in what could be regarded as a disturbing and disconcerting role. The rest of cast give equally accomplished performances under the peerless direction of Jeremy Herrin.

Runs until August 9. Box office (020) 7565-5000.