FOLLOW MY LEADER. To 15 May.
London
FOLLOW MY LEADER
by Alistair Beaton music by Richard Blackford
Hampstead Theatre To 15 May 2004
Mon-Sat 7,45pm Mat Sat 3pm
Audio-described 15 May 3pm
BSL Signed 13 May
Post-show discussion 12 May
Runs 2hr 25min One interval
TICKETS: 020 7722 9301
www.hampsteadtheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 5 May 2004
Good cheap laughs in a heartily-performed political revue.The nearest there's been to Alistair Beaton's satire revised since its recent Birmingham run was the work of the late John McGrath for his 7:84 theatre companies. McGrath's Good Night Out' principle led to political lessons constructed in popular entertainment formats. Beaton offers song and dance, straight scenes, parody and inversion, documentary records and shameless insults. Driving the melange is a mix of determined laughter you have to laugh at venality and stupidity plus outright anger. People have died, are dying, have suffered. Are being lied to.
Inevitably, invention varies. Some scenes barely get by despite skilled presentation. Others cope because of the performers' skill. But others use theatrical ideas to throw new light on events. An on-screen TV anchorman questions an Iraqui reporter live from London about rumours Tony Blair is dead or in hiding. The scene neatly reverses what's been on British TV, showing up the absurdities of pre-packaged questioning along the way.
Or there's Peter Polycarpou's hilarious Press Conference as Saddam's Information Minister Comical Ali, turning sides to spin for Blair. Splendid comic acting, it also makes a serious point about political presentation.
Mark Clements' dynamic production also creates serious moments, standing out amongst the mirth Bush and Blair shaking hands between screens filled with images of bombing devastation. And, Polcarpou again, as Osama Bin Laden pointing out, after the evening's shenanigans, that Bush and Blair have toughened up his support.
There are other good moments Blair's insistence on a British element in the set for his first meeting with Bush leads to a tiny union flag among giant stars-and-stripes. Musically, there's a neat destruction of pre-emptive strike theory, with audience members picked out for various crimes.
There's a fair amount of dead, or lesser living, material too, and ideas such as Blair's megalomania are overplayed. Sometimes, as in scenes involving two CIA operatives, it's a shame the material doesn't investigate matters in more searching detail. Last week's Guardian headlines only go on being funny so long new material would sharpen the focus. No complaints though, about the alert production or high-quality acted, sung and danced performances.
The Prime Minister: Jason Durr
Senior/Guantanamo Soldier/The judge: Martyn Ellis
Camp David Journalist/A Dog Owner/Anti-American Singer/New York Post Journalist/Embedded Soldier: Dawn Hope
Press Officer/Guantanamo Diva/A Dog Owner/Anti-American Singer/Embedded Soldier: Nicola Hughes
A Demonstrator/A Dog Owner/US Soldier/Sun Reader: Paul J Medford
The President: Stuart Milligan
Junior/Guantanamo Soldier/Sun Reader: Giles New
God/Muslim Bad Guy/Sun Journalist/Iraqui Reporter/Press Officer/Comical Ali/American Tourist/Osama Bin Laden: Peter Polycarpou
Vicar/Guantanamo Prisoner/Iraqui Newsreader/Embedded Reporter/Clare Short/Anti-American Singer: Sevan Stephan
As Himself at the piano: Warren Wills
Director: Mark Clements
Designer: Philip Witcomb
Lighting: Chris Ellis, recreated by James Farncombe
Sound: Nick Greenhill
Musical Arrangements: David Roper, Warren Wills
Projection design: Second Home
Assistant director: Kate Varney
2004-05-06 00:48:58