Kyoto (play)
2024 play
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Kyoto is a play by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, produced and acted by Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Good Chance originally in Swan Theatre in 2024, then @sohoplace in 2025.
| Kyoto | |
|---|---|
 West End Promotional Poster | |
| Written by | Joe Robertson Joe Murphy |
| Based on | Kyoto Protocol |
| Genre | Political Drama |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 18 June 2024 |
| Place | Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
The play dramatizes how Big Oil, having learned about the risk of climate change, use legal tricks and misinformation through their representative Don Pearlman in an attempt to protect their profits. Through the determination of key representatives, an agreement is reached – the Kyoto Protocol.
Production history
Stratford-upon-Avon (2024)
The play was presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Good Chance. The world premiere was at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon running from 18 June until 13 July 2024 (with a press night on 25 June). The play was directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin.[1][2]
West End (2025)
Following the success of the Stratford-upon Avon run, the production transferred to London's West End at @sohoplace running from 9 January to 3 May 2025 (with a press night on 16 January).[3][4]
Off-Broadway (2025)
The play made its North American debut Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre on 8 October 2025, with an opening night scheduled for 3 November. The production is scheduled to run through 30 November. Casting includes Stephen Kunken (reprising his role from London) as Don Pearlman. Also joining him from the London cast are Jorge Bosch as Raul Estrada and Ferdy Roberts as John Prescott.[5] Joining the company are Natalie Gold as Shirley Pearlman, Peter Bradbury as Fred Singer, Kate Burton as USA, and Daniel Jenkins as Bert Bolin and others.[6]
Cast and characters
| Character | Stratford-upon-Avon[7] | West End[8] | Off-Broadway[9] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | ||
| Don Pearlman | Stephen Kunken | ||
| Shirley Pearlman | Jenna Augen | Natalie Gold | |
| Raul Estrada | Jorge Bosch | ||
| Fred Singer | Vincent Franklin | Duncan Wisbey | Peter Bradbury |
| Bert Bolin | Dale Rapley | Daniel Jenkins | |
| Secretariat | Olivia Barrowclough | Imani Jade Powers | |
| Kiribati | Andrea Gatchalian | Taiana Tully | |
| Germany - Angela Merkel | Ingrid Oliver | Kristin Atherton | Erin Darke |
| Saudi Arabia | Raad Rawi | Dariush Kashani | |
| China | Kwong Loke | Feodor Chin | |
| Tanzania | Jude Akuwudike | Aïcha Kossoko | Roslyn Ruff |
| USA | Nancy Crane | Kate Burton | |
| UK - John Prescott | Ferdy Roberts | ||
| Japan | Togo Igawa | Rob Narita | |
There were many delegates[10] at COP3, two are specifically identified in the play.
Awards and nominations
2025 Off-Broadway production
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Nominated | [11][12] | |
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin | Nominated | |||
| Distinguished Performance | Stephen Kunken | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Projection Design | Akhila Krishnan | Nominated | [13][14] | |
| Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Play | Nominated | [15][16] | ||
| Outstanding Director | Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play | Jorge Bosch | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Projection Design | Akhila Krishnan | Nominated | |||