Ten Billion paints a vivid portrait of a species with its head in the sand. Scientist Stephen Emmott and director Katie Mitchell deliver a new kind of scientific lecture, highlighting key issues being lost in translation in our discussion of the environment. 

By the end of this century, the human population is likely to be over 10 billion. Just 25 years ago, it was less than five billion. Ten Billion asks how are the choices we’re making as a species impacting upon our environment?

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director at the Royal Court said: “When Katie Mitchell approached me about this project, I was excited. Once I’d met Stephen I knew it was something we had to do. It isn’t a play, it may not even be described as ‘theatre’ and we have never put a scientist centre stage at the Royal Court before, but it could just be one of the most important projects I’ve ever worked on.

“Many of us are concerned about the environmental threats we face but few have an understanding of how climate change, overpopulation and dwindling resources could actually impact the way we live. Stephen’s research points to some alarming possibilities.

“Stephen is a bold, passionate and inspiring scientist and Katie is one of our most thrilling theatre makers.  The combination of these talents with a stunning creative team promises a very powerful evening.”

Stephen Emmott is Head of Computational Science at Microsoft Research and Professor of Computational Science at University of Oxford. His lab is recognised for its pioneering approaches to tackling fundamental problems in science; in particular; outstanding problems in predicting the future of the climate, and the future of life on Earth. 
 
Director Katie Mitchell’s recent credits at the Royal Court include includes Simon Stephens’s Wastwater and Martin Crimp’s The City.