Anyone listening to this challenging and thought-provoking revival of Wallace Shawn’s 1990 monologue might justifiably wonder whether it has been updated to reflect the political situation on both sides of the Atlantic and more widely today.
Regrettably, the 1½-hour long version of this searing attack on contemporary capitalism, impeccably delivered by Cate Blanchett, merely reflects the fact that little changes and the world contains just as many perils today as it did 35 years ago—and arguably many more.
The Fever was the ultimate chamber piece, originally delivered by its author in a series of private New York homes, where it must have made for very uncomfortable listening, since the audience would largely have comprised some of its targets.
A woman (who could just as easily be a man) known only as The Traveller is holed up in a luxurious hotel room in a deprived, third world country. As a fever takes hold on her, the five-star comfort transforms itself into an inner prison cell.
While her ostensible battles might be with the ultra-greedy rich, before long, the general moves towards the particular, focusing on her own experiences and behaviour as well as those of close friends.
Using satire and irony as its primary weapons, The Fever might have the billionaires running the world to the detriment of everybody else under the benign eye of the latest American president, but just as unerringly harpoons and lampoons trendy liberals and champagne socialists, who firmly believe in helping the downtrodden but not to the extent that it might limit their creature comforts.
The passing observations regarding the benefits of a growth agenda might also not go down well at 10/11 Downing Street.
Cate Blanchett is an ideal radio actor, with a clear voice using her native Australian accent and calm, accurate timing to deliver a poetic text, well supported by a cleverly modulated soundtrack and thanks to the expert direction of John Tiffany and Steven Hoggett, long-time collaborators, most frequently at the National Theatre of Scotland.
In the context of what is going on around the globe today, The Fever is relentless despite its dry humour and remains as powerful as when it was written. This is the kind of play that will certainly make listeners stop and think and could have an even greater effect on some, to the benefit of the underprivileged and charities that support them.