The cast of The Trials discuss the climate crisis | In rehearsals at Donmar Warehouse

Recently we caught up with some of the cast of the UK premiere of The Trials.

We chatted to breakout stars of Netflix's Heartstopper, Joe Locke (who plays Noah) and Will Gao (Xander), as well as Elise Alexandre (Amelia), Francis Dourado (Mohammad), Pelumi Ibiloye (Marek) and Taya Tower (Zoe), to get their thoughts on the play's crucial themes.

Directed by Natalie Abrahami, Dawn King's piece is set in the near future and revolves around a trial where children jurors judge the older generation's contributions to the climate crisis. A finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, it received its world premiere at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus in 2021.

Also appearing in "the jury" are Jowana El-Daouk (as Gabi), Honor Kneafsey (as Ren), Rue Millwood (as Chris), Charlie Reid (as Tomaz), Meréana Tomlinson (as Kako) and Jairaj Varsani (as Adnan). WhatsOnStage Award winner Nigel Lindsay and Sharon Small play "the defendants".

The creative team includes designer Georgia Lowe, lighting designer Jai Morjaria, sound designer and composer Xana, movement directors Anna Morrissey and Aaron Parsons, video designer Nina Dunn, voice coach Emma Woodvine, associate director Joseph Hancock, sustainability consultants Julie's Bicycle and production dramatherapist Wabriya King.

The Trials runs from 12 to 27 August 2022 at the Donmar Warehouse in London.

[Jo-gery]

Joe, it's because you are talented! That's it!!

[bencoatesworth]

Thing is with Joe he isn’t lucky cos of heartstopper. He is a good young actor and people can see that. People will want to have him for him not cos he played a character straight out of school that was in a hit netflix show. He could have been in that show and not be liked its all down to him and his acting

[jamilcartagenaruiz]

so proud of this cast, speciallly for Joe and Will, love both <3

[ginalipkin]

Very grounded, thankful and humble young Joe and friends, great work xx

[Linyenwa]

I will never not be sad that Covid made me miss Joe's professional onstage debut which even got him an WoS award.
Praying he'll be on stage soon again in another project, maybe after filming for Heartstopper season 3 will have finished? I know he's now busy with Marvel, too but I just film his love for theatre will always be there.

[mimec]

Exactly what the world needs to see right now!!!! 👏👏👏

[ginalipkin]

Thank you for bringing this real issue to everyone's attention by putting it on stage, best of Luck🎉❤

[bookmarksstories]

Oh very difficult topic. Kind of feels like this planet is a runaway train heading for a cliff (I saw Bullet Train today so that’s why the train metaphor)

[tomnelson]

I love the idea of panicking because it was hot for a couple of days, then it was normal again. Science!