one4review | On 08, Aug 2023

Manifest Destiny’s Child is an entertaining and enthralling dive into the margins of the political world of the US and is based on true events. Trump is President, much to the dismay of the liberal elite. Dennis Trainor – writer and subject of the play, is at an acquaintance’s house, celebrating their mutual children’s high school graduation. Feeling out of place in the opulent and well-heeled surroundings, he raises further eyebrows when he reveals that he worked on Jill Stein’s 2016 presidential campaign – widely seen as derailing Hilary Clinton’s bid for power. At this point in the play, Dennis gives us an entertaining account of his appointment as Jill Stein’s communications manager. The internal battles within Jill Green’s campaign team, and his time as an overwrought campaign manager, led to his eventual disaffection with a group that failed to embrace the diversity of those they sought to attract. Although, he returns to the campaign as the Presidential race reaches its conclusion, he finds that real change comes from smaller targeted campaigns. 

This was a fascinating piece of theatre and Dennis’s use of actual footage from his time on the campaign trial underpinned the unfolding drama effectively. The film he shows, made at Standing Rock, packed an emotional punch that any televised political debate between Republican and Democrat can only dream of. Dennis Trainor’s very personal play is an absorbing and informative piece, and I was gripped from beginning to end. 

4.5****

Reviewed by Rona 

Assembly George St  – Drawing Room 

2.25pm (1hr 10)

Until 27^th (not 14^th)