Temple, Donmar Warehouse

Temple will be the most high-profile work to date for playwright Steve Waters, whose plays have moved from the fringe venues Bush and Hampstead Theatres bang into the centre of town. And this trajectory has been characterised by a persistent desire to tackle pressing issues facing our society today, ranging from climate change to the invention of Free Schools. Now he turns the spotlight on the Occupy movement of 2011.
It is interesting to try to make sense of this event a few years on, as many found it difficult to define exactly what Occupy meant to London, or how the authorities responded. Waters has decided to focus on the tale of the Dean of St Paul’s, given an unlikely prominence in this issue due to the presence of the protesters on his front lawn. This individual figure is a perfect catalyst for exploring meaty questions of moral, political and spiritual value today.
And national treasure Simon Russell Beale has obviously seen the potential for a rich and complex character portrait. We expect a fascinating new piece of writing that will allow profound topical questions to play out dramatically and subtly in front of us. If you like your thoughts jostled, perceptions challenged, and a masterclass from one of the country’s most skilful actors, then this will be a remarkable night out.