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drinks Monday 2 June 08
It's on till 26 May and here's Some things you might want to know about Brighton Fringe 2008
The Madness Of George Dubya
Verdict: Savage Anti-American farce
London - The Arts Theatre - to 23 August 03
Summary: Searing, funny, anti-American political drama.
President of America George W Bush is the one person The Madness of George Dubya isn't about. It concerns America itself - and what an empire of unmitigated evil that country has become.
The play's a musical comedy drama, with Mr Bush the narrator - and sanest character.
There's a cast of 11. Justin Butcher wrote it as the invasion of Iraq was planned; it's updated daily. It tells the story of a nuclear strike against Iraq.
The Madness of George Dubya is a blend of Dr Strangelove (with permission from the Stanley Kubrick Estate), Tom Lehrer songs
(he rewrote them for the show), and (London news sketch show) NewsRevue-type political satire; with a touch of The Rocky Horror Show. It lasts for 2 hours.
Mad American General Kipper (
Matt Devereux) is based at a Yorkshire US base from which he orders English Group Captain Windbreak (Paul Bigley) to send an American nuclear bomber to Iraq. It's piloted by cross-dressing Major Hank Spanker (Jamie Bower) and
Clem Pecker (Harold Finley) who discover their passion for each other in their aptly-named cockpit.
In 10 Downing Street, the British side - Prime Minister Blair (Tom George), assistant Norman (Stephen Guy Daltry), General Verruca Jones (
Dominic Colchester) - quarrel impotently with the Americans - General Gorgidson (Mark Heenehan), and Plankhead (Mathew Dominic). Arab Ambassador Sheik Wafiq Dizeez (
Rupert Mason) refuses to stop the Arab Nation retaliating. The bomber can't be recalled. It looks like Armageddon. But does Yasmina The Cleaner have a cunning plan?
The Madness of George Dubya's a rollicking entertainment that benefits from an outstanding cast and some sharp writing (from director Justin Butcher). Belle of the ball's undoubtedly
Lindsey Ellis as the artful Yasmina. Top song's hers too - 'Yasmina The Cleaner', danced in leather bikini with dynamite sticks - well, a girl's got to be prepared.
Top ensemble number's the Arab Sheik Song. The costume, lyrical content and musical style parody the racial stereotype of the evil and exotic Arab so beloved of the White House. It's also extremely funny - which rams the point home more effectively - and a well-staged and directed set-piece. It includes a
elegant, funny and magnificently-timed double-act between Paul Bigley and Lindsey Ellis, in dance and harmony - the highlight of the evening.
There are six excellent songs, and most of the writing's at a high standard - difficult to maintain in a show that's regularly updated. Tonight's show managed to include a reference to the funeral of Dr Kelly, the Prime Minister's Barbados holiday, and a fine, sharp joke about the blood (of Dr Kelly) on his hands.
The play set out to make a strong political statement against America, and it achieves this. Justin Butcher deserves congratulation for his determination to do something about their disgusting invasion of Iraq, rather than (like the rest of us) just talk. The fact that the result is also charming, funny, and spectacular (superb lights from
Robin Snowdon; and a fine set) is a remarkable achievement.
Writer and director Justin Butcher was primed for (playwriting) action against America by a bruising encounter with the CIA in Bucharest late in 2002. As America's penis stiffened for an easy victory over Iraq round Christmas 02, Butcher's disgust galvanised him to action.
George Eugeniou, Artistic Director of Theatro Technis gave him the theatre for 4 weeks, and The Madness Of George Dubya, with a cast of 11, opened on 14 January 03, and sold out the entire run.
Christopher Richardson gave him The Pleasance for two weeks more. Tom Lehrer allowed use of his songs, and rewrote them to bring them up to date.
The Stanley Kubrick Estate gave him permission to run the play in the West End.
The play opened in The Arts Theatre, to a record-breaking run which ends on 23 August 03. Fortunately its time has included the US's special day - 4 July - on which America celebrates its independence from the rest of the world. Sadly, it finishes before 11 September.
Credits - Songs Kick Saddam (Justin Butcher). So Long Mom; Send The Marines; We'll All Go Together (all by Tom Lehrer with updated words by Tom Lehrer). Yasmina The Cleaner (lyric Justin Butcher, music Harry Napier). The Arab Sheik Song (Sheik Wafiq Dizeez) (lyric Justin Butcher, music Stephen Guy Daltry).
Credits - Cast (alpha order): Paul Bigley (Group Captain Windbreak),
Alan Blyton (George Dubya), Jamie Bower (Major Hank Spanker), Dominic Colchester
(General Verruca Jones), Stephen Guy Daltry (Norman), Matt Devereaux (General Kipper), Mathew Dominic (Plankhead), Lindsey Ellis (Yasmina), Tom George (Tony Blair), Mark Heenehan (General Gorgidson), Rupert Mason (Sheik Wafiq Dizeez), Harold Finley (Clem Pecker).
Credits - Company: Writer / Director - Justin Butcher. Co-Director - Andy Harrison. Musician (piano) Stephen Guy Daltry. Musician - Harry Napier. Composer / Sound Designer - Jack Arnold.
Lighting Designer - Robin Snowdon. Stage Manager - Marcus Watson. DSM - Sophie Curtis. Technical ASM - Dean Stead.
Lighting Engineer - Keith Hutchinson. Carpenters - Will Jackson, Mark Cosgrove.
Press - Helen Snell. Sound and Lighting supplier - Stage Electrics. Management - PW Productions.
END
John Park
reviewed Tuesday 5 August 03 / Arts Theatre
related topic: Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film Dr Strangelove
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
