Red, white and a bit blue- why I wanted to see Flag flying at Studio Salford by Cathy Crabb

studiosalford — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:33:19 +0000

At certain moments in our lives- at a bus stop, a wedding, a club say or even sometimes a family meal – we all tend to tolerate others political views- as long as they are not extreme right wing. Like me, I know most people exercise a zero tolerance to these opinions, and only in the media, via those ‘politicians’ or through fictional characters do I actually come across them. So where do they hide in real life? If you want to explore and really think about where right wing opinions reside comfortably and find their niche, you really need to see Brian Marchbank’s play Flag.

The basic premise is that Mark Poste (Matthew Stead) a comedy writer, wishes to use the talents of washed up comedian Jimmy Earle (Darren Scott) to bring to life his character Corporal Flag- who is as bigotted as can be and a creation with a hidden agenda for the comedy writer alone as well as a tool for the audience to look at what they laugh at and why. As Corporal Flag becomes a great success, Earle becomes more disgusted with himself and his audience and Poste becomes greedy and never satisfied. Poste’s agenda is clear by the end and also that he will never be satisfied.

The power of comedy as a cloak for opinions and a guise for sinister intentions is what really interests me about this play. I like watching The Simpsons on Sky but I don’t like the race jokes and I don’t want Murdoch to control the politics in Britian. Should I sacrifice a half hour of laughing to make a stand? Probably. People love Life On Mars but are the viewers laughing at Gene Hunt, or reminiscing about a time when cop shows were allowed to be chauvinistic and racist? When you watch Flag, you can really feel and focus on what we laugh at or with. The idea of laughing ‘at’ something is very interesting because it can’t be proved. You could say I was poking fun at the character when I laughed, not agreeing with him. Can’t be proven, no one really knows that. Here’s where bigotry can slip comfortably into our entertainment.

And this is why I was so enthusiastic and so determined to get Flag seen again, since it’s premiere at 24:7 Theatre Festival this July. Because I can see how cleverly Brian Marchbank has crafted this play. I don’t want to ruin the play for anyone, but I will say that the worst of Corporal Flags bile spouting is done during scene changes, pre-recorded with audience laughter. That says to me that the writer Marchbank and director Rebecca Taylor don’t want the audience to have the opportunity to laugh at/with/or otherwise the very worst of this fictional comedian’s material.

As well as what stays with you afterwards, the play has a great cast. Matthew Stead is perfectly annoying and fierce as Mark Poste, Darren Scott is very engaging in his portrayal of Jimmy Earle playing Corporal Flag; he is clown-like and full of pathos.

It’s a highly entertaining play with the message- never underestimate the power of humour.

Flag will run at Studio Salford from 2nd-5th Nov. 8pm. For more details and reservations please visit www.studiosalford.com

FEATURES!

studiosalford — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:15:44 +0000

Hello-

This is Studio Salford’s blog page-

To compliment the website, we have set up a blog to write features, diaries or meanderings on forthcoming productions both inhouse and visitors.

Expect blogs from writers, directors, actors, front of house and our tech team, also we intend to have guest features too so any suggestions are greatly appreciated. First blog will be from Cathy Crabb all about why she recommended Flag for this season and why she is looking forward to the production.