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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
David Hume - Citizen of the World
Verdict: Born to be responsible
Rehearsed play reading
Young Mozart (Christopher Boerger) plays the Allegro from his Sonata in C Major (K 545). Black-and-white silhouettes of Edinburgh, Chirnside and the Statue of Liberty hang behind the baby grand piano.
It's the preamble to an imaginary space where David Hume (Richard Nasmyth / Graeme Ballantine on 14 August) finds himself simultaneously in 1776 and 2005. Christopher Boerger (10 years old) as Mozart, is confident and expressive in his playing, but not note-perfect.
Dying philosopher Hume has this unique opportunity to see his influence today, and relate the significant events in his life. His sister Katherine (Josée Mobbs) interviews him. A Commentator (Wally Shaw) interprets Hume’s philosophy in a modern context.
Hume recalls Chirnside. He realises early that ‘Ignorance rules the world, not enlightenment’. He gets himself an education. Hume develops the view that we should learn from observation to decide what is real.
Life after death cannot be observed, so the conclusion must be that we don’t know. He disapproves of the supernatural in religion. Any sort of fundamentalism is anathema.
Is he passionate about women? Hume avoids straight answers. The Comtesse de Boufflers (Margot Daru-Elliott) confesses that they love each other.
Benjamin Franklin (Ron MacPherson / Ian Cameron on 9 August) compliments Hume. Rousseau (Iain Kerr) insults him.
It is less of a playreading, and more of an interesting dramatised lecture. (University philosophy departments could learn from this.)
Hume has wit. He breaks a chair, and says 'Tell Mr Adam to keep better chairs for heavy philosophers.'
Near the end of his life, he is not in good health. Ironically he holds a farewell dinner on the same day as the American Declaration of Independence – a cause close to his heart.
Hume's work is examined. He would have been for fair trade - 'The poverty of one nation lessens the weath of all nations'. Against any form of religion that led to war, he would have opposed both America and Islam. The rest of the cast question him from their points of view.
The ‘Seven wonders of modern America’ are presented as they are - and as they would be in a world ruled by Hume’s ideas. The Statue of Liberty has abandoned the Stars and Stripes, and carries the flag of the United Nations. Peace is not the foundation of national security - Justice is. We are not born to be free – we are born to be responsible.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Graeme Ballantine - David Hume (14 August), Welcomer, Dr Cullen. / Vivien Ballantine - Katherine Hume (14 August), Historian. / Christopher Boerger - Mozart. / Peter Boerger - Publicist. / Ian Cameron - Benjamin Franklin (9 August), Adam Smith. / Mary Cameron - Political Economist. / Margot Daru-Elliott - Comtesse de Boufflers, Historian (14 August). / George Erskine - JH Burton. / Andrew Hill - Welcomer (8 August). / Iain Kerr - Commentator (Act II, Scene 2), Jean Jaques Rousseau. / David McGill - Thomas Reid. / Ron MacPherson - Benjamin Franklin. / Josée Mobbs - Katherine Hume, Publicist (14 August). / Richard Nasmyth - David Hume, Welcomer (14 August), Dr Cullen (14 August). / Wally Shaw - Commentator, Moral Philosopher. / Evelyn Taylor - Sceptic.
Company Credits: Writer - Wally Shaw. Producer/Director - Graeme Ballantine. Publicity, Internet and Web Designer - Andy Shaw. Technical Operator - Edward Prince. Set Designer - Charles Nasmyth. Musical Coach - Alison Boerger. Company - The Radicals.
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2005
reviewed Thursday 11 August 05 / St Mark's Unitarian Church
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
