Election Fever Part II Counted - devised and directed by Steve Bottoms, Ben Freedman and Mimi Poskitt ***

Produced by Roundhouse and Look Left Look Right, Counted is a documentary-play which dramatises verbatim responses given by UK residents in response to questions about the voting process. Staged in the Debating Chamber at County Hall, the play gives a unique and original insight into the widespread apathy preventing people from exercising their democratic right to vote. Televised debates are one way to mobilise us into voting, and the reactions reflected in the polls suggest that people are finally becoming politicised and aware that they have an opinion on political matters. During the course of the play we hear from the controller of factual programming at ITV who suggests that the three party leaders should take part in 'I'm a Celebrity' (or rather, 'I'm a Politician') in order to 'appear human' – as ridiculous as this may sound, more people vote for television talent competitions than they do at general elections.

Of course this play is preaching to the converted – the audience was small (dwarfed by the expansive setting) and predominantly middle-class and middle-aged; your average theatre-going demographic. Those represented in the play were small-town people, speaking with regional accents and obviously coming from a poorer, and poorly-educated, majority. Although the actors did their best to portray these characters feelingly, I couldn't help but think that at some points we were meant to feel entertained rather than shocked by their ignorance. The Debating Chamber is the last place this play should be staged - it should be touring schools and colleges. Counted is trying to convince us that politics is not about the wrangles between MPs in Westminster, but rather the politics governing change at a local level, within the community. The quick-change between characters that the six actors accomplished with ease was engrossing and highly entertaining and would feasibly work in the school environment.

Unfortunately this play has little to offer in the way of a remedy. If people hold strong opinions and would go out and vote if only they knew that their vote counted, then it isn't political apathy that's the problem, but a lack of understanding about the political process and a lack of trust in the politicians. And this play tells us that this lack of trust is justified; the democratic process isn't perfect and, in some ways, it isn't working at all. The same malaise that prevents people from voting has affected London theatre-goers; a disinterest in politics. Just as voters are turning out in ever-diminishing numbers, so are those who would pay to see a play about politics, which is a real shame as this production is vital and necessary, even if a bit rough around the edges. The most moving account was saved until last; a teenage-mother, who knows nothing about what it means to vote, feels helpless when she is treated badly by midwives at her local hospital. But can voting alone restore the sense of dignity and empowerment that so many are without?

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