A team of international observers goes to an unnamed West African country to oversee its first democratic election. The current presidentis n ot well liked by Western governments, who want to do business in the region, and by many of his countryment, due to the corrupt nature of his regime. Despite this, he is expected to win the election without difficulty. The first round of voting is close, and his main rival is able to force a run off, due to the support of villagers in the rural and mountainous areas of the country.

Fiona Russell is the deputy chief of the international observation committee, a Briton from who quit her job as a local election official in Leeds due to the complacency of voters there. She is idealistic and passionate about her job, and wants to see democracy instilled in the countries that she oversees. She is deeply opposed to the current president, and sees the run off as an opportunity for the country to "take a huge step forward" by electing the challenger. Her main ally is Daniel, a local student who serves as her translator and confident.

Fiona gets approval for a campaign to register voters in rural and mountainous areas, those who have supported the challenger. Despite mild opposition from her ineffective boss, Daniel, and others, and despite increasing violence inflicted upon supporters of the challenger, she doggedly pursues her goal. The winner is announced...but, as a key character declares in the midst of a near civil war, "What happens now?"

The Observer was a powerful statement and performance about the deleterious effect that well meaning outsiders can have on developing countries and their people. Anna Chancellor (Fiona) and Chuk Iwuji (Daniel) were fabulous in their roles, and the supporting cast was also strong. I would highly recommend this play for anyone who can attend it in London before it closes next month. ( )