Review: A Theory of Justice

Who knew political philosophy could be funny? Who knew musicals could be educational?

Written by an enterprising group of 3^rd year PPEists, A Theory of Justice not only gets to grips with some seriously high-brow material, it manages to get some laughs out of a pretty niche subject matter – if any play were worthy of the label ‘only in Oxford’, this would be it.

The musical is an adaptation of John Rawls’s book A Theory of Justice, which, to cut a long story short, synthesises previous philosophic ideas into a one simple form of words: justice as fairness.

In the hands of Brasenose third years Eylon Aslan-Levy and Tommy Peto, and Balliol’s Ramin Sabi, this translates into ‘an all singing, all dancing romp’ through Western thought.

Rewinding years of history and defying the rules of physics, hero John Rawls (Ollie Nichols) goes to save Fairness (Rosalind Isaacs) from her plunge into a time vortex, finding the key to his theory of justice in the process.

Dastardly duo Robert Nozick and Ayn Rand, played by Luke Rollason and Clare Joyce are a brilliant libertarian foil to the main couple. Joyce’s sharp wit and even sharper dancing make for some of the funniest moments in the play.

Add in a deontological fairy godmother, some fabulously fey utilitarians and a rapping Thomas Hobbes and you have a musical that will have even the stuffiest PPEists laughing their metaphysical socks off.

The staging for A Theory of Justice is really very minimal; only lighting and a curtain are required to create the infamous time vortex that causes Rawls’s philosophical time travelling.

This merely proves the high standard of the writing, musical performance and the acting. Brilliantly executed set piece songs explaining philosophical theories are interspersed with witty, fast paced dialogue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1hsApAm0jD4

Even if you don’t know your Russell from your Rousseau, A Theory of Justice is easy to understand – if you’re still struggling, then a fairy godmother might point her wand at you and give you some hints.

If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket for this sell-out show, then rest assured you won’t be disappointed. If not, you could always hang around the science parks and hope for a time vortex. Either way, you’ll still be left wishing you could submit a musical about political philosophy as your thesis.

A Theory of Justice: the Musical! is showing at Keble O’Reilly Theatre until Saturday.