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Dark days of Thatcher
brought back to life
MAGGIE'S END
Shaw Theatre
“NEW Labour is the bastard son of Thatcherism. Discuss,” is one of the opening lines in this satire, which begins with the death of Margaret Thatcher.
The production is sponsored by various unions, including the National Union of Mineworkers (North-east area), and it is timed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike.
Never have I approached an event with such trepidation, having lived through that strike and campaigned for miners and their families. It brings back those dark days.
However, my anxiety was blown away by the blast of the Redbridge Brass Band in the foyer of the theatre – surely a first!
It is the summer of 2010 and the newly crowned Labour Prime Minister announces a state funeral for the deceased Thatcher, which brings the political differences of one family to breaking point.
The family’s daughter, Johanne Murdoch, is having an affair with the PM, Russell Floyd. She is also a minister and is torn between her family and the reactionary posturings of the newly elected Labour government, in its fourth term of office.
The idea of the piece was conceived before the recent credit crunch and economic downturn, as the likelihood of a return of a Labour government is now
sub-zero.
The arguments for a socialist programme – sorry to use the “S” word – have little importance for the New Labour government, which sees itself as the true heir of Thatcherism.
The 3.2 million unemployed in the 1980s, the North Sea oil rip-off, and the decline in British manufacture to smash the trade union movement are mentioned, but only in passing.
The whole concept of the piece is too melodramatic and, one could argue, was the Labour Party ever socialist?
Bertholt Brecht has got a lot to answer for, because he was just too good. Using the first actor-narrator technique whilst smoking a cigarette is a useful concept which breaks up the narrative, but demonising the New Labour PM I don’t think helps the argument for a left-wing programme.
Brecht would never have made the PM such a pratt or given him such shallow lines, dismissing the Miners’ Strike and supporting the State with the either/or argument: “the roar of the mob for the rule of law.”
Seeing Attila the Stockbroker doing his act in the interval brought back memories of the alternative. Everything in the eighties was alternative. Now, seeing a bald-headed, portly Attila had a rather saddening quality.
The piece is directed by Jack Milner with lighting designer Joe Hornsby and boasts an outstanding performance by Mark Wingett, late of The Bill.
But as one of the wags exclaimed: “Thatcher can’t be cremated... because the lady’s not for burning.”
Until April 18
0871 594 3 123 |
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