FOLLOW MY LEADER TO 15 May.

Birmingham/London

FOLLOW MY LEADER: Alistair Beaton, Music Richard Blackford, Lyrics Alistair Beaton

Birmingham Rep 26 March 10 April then Hampstead Theatre 21 April-15 May 2004
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Sat 3pm
Tkts 0121 236 4455 (Birmingham)
020 7722 9301
www.hampsteadtheatre.com (Hampstead)
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 29 March 2004

NB The script is being revised for the transfer to Hampstead

As much fire-power as a sparkler and less illumination
It's all rather sad, limp and damp. Some nice material here, but it doesn't really add up to anything. Biting satire it isn't, old arguments dressed up in their Sunday best it is.

The main problem with FOLLOW MY LEADER is time. It's not really a play at all but a series of sketches linked by a single theme the process that led the US and the UK to war with Iraq. If these sketches had appeared in a quick fire comedy show in a club as the events unfolded then they would have had an immediacy and a sense of danger about them. But at the Rep, many months after the event, with the news endlessly having picked over the entrails the material looks tired.

Even more so, since Beaton brings no insights to bear to shed fresh light on this recent history. I sense no fierce wit, intellect or fiery anger; it feels more like an in-crowd playing superficial little jokes in order to confirm each others' opinions. No amount of clever dressing replaces this central void.

JESUS VOTES FOR TONY BLAIR for instance, a gospel number early in the first half, receives a well-deserved response. But more for the liveliness of the number and the dynamic performances than for its content.

There are other good moments. Notably Jason Durr (Tony Blair) has a great moment in the second half as he tries to resolve the conundrum of doing something good that has bad outcomes to achieve something good. Marvellous direct relationship with the audience and use of sidelong glances. And specially, too, Peter Polycarpou's tour de force appearance as Comical Ali (though one re-entrance too many); he also does a fantastic rapping fat-arse American tourist.

Some good singing voices among the company; though of some not terribly interesting songs.

Cast:
Jason Durr
Martyn Ellis
Dawn Hope
Nicola Hughes
Paul J Medford
Stuart Milligan
Giles New
Peter Polycarpou
Sevan Stephan
Warren Wills (at the piano)

Director: Mark Clements
Designer: Philip Witcomb
Musical Director: David Roper
Choreographer: Paul J Medford
Lighting: Chris Ellis
Projections: Second Home
Sound: Mick Greenhill
Assistant Director: Kate Varney

2004-03-30 15:49:37