“Diplomacy, Drama, and Don Pearlman”: What Kyoto Taught Us About Partnership

A few weeks ago, some of the Pineapple Partnerships team had the pleasure of attending Kyoto, the powerful new play showing at @sohoplace in London’s West End. As we headed into the theatre, we were curious; intrigued by the promise of a show that tackles global climate diplomacy, moral choices, and the tension between personal conviction and collective responsibility. We were also fortunate enough to hear from Dr Sam Geall, CEO of Dialogue Earth on his personal experiences having attended many Conference of Parties (COPs).

We left inspired.

Written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, Kyoto is set in 1997 at the historic Kyoto Climate Conference. It tells the story of real-life diplomat Raul Estrada, who led the complex, high-stakes negotiations that shaped the first legally binding climate treaty. In the play, Estrada navigates a pressure cooker of global expectations, political egos, and urgent environmental demands; all under the ticking clock of climate breakdown.

So why was it of interest to us at Pineapple?

Because Kyoto isn’t just a show about climate change. It’s a masterclass in partnership under pressure. It’s about finding common ground among competing interests. It’s about making space for every voice, even when the room is full of loud ones. And it’s about holding onto a shared vision, even when compromise feels impossible.

That’s what we took away from it, and what we believe speaks so strongly to our 2025 theme: Making Partnerships Work.

At Pineapple, we talk a lot about our Three B’s of partnership: Buy-in, Behaviours, and Benefits. Kyoto brought all three to life on stage:

• Buy-in: Estrada’s unwavering commitment to the process and his skill in building consensus across cultural and political divides was key to progress.

• Behaviours: We saw the power (and fragility) of trust, listening and persistence in the face of tension and disagreement.

• Benefits: The treaty was only possible because each country could see something of their own values reflected in the final deal.

The play also reminded us of the risks when partnership is undermined from within. Through the character of Don Pearlman, a lawyer and lobbyist representing certain industry interests, we saw how powerful voices can enter the room without true alignment. Even when those views didn’t appear to reflect his own personal convictions, Pearlman used his platform to stall progress. A reminder that not all stakeholders come to the table in good faith. When that happens, the cost can be measured in lost time, trust and opportunity.

Kyoto reminded us that true partnership isn’t easy; it’s earned. Through time, honesty and shared purpose.

We left the show reinvigorated about our work and how we can support others to build partnerships that deliver real, lasting change; whether in boardrooms, classrooms or global summits.

Have you seen Kyoto? We’d love to hear your reflections, or your own experiences of partnerships that made the impossible possible.