Crescent Theatre Blog

I’m lucky enough to have been cast in ‘Talking to Terrorists’ and I’m delighted to be part of it. The play grabbed my attention as soon as I heard about it. A play that literally ‘voices’ the words of people (very ordinary people) who have become terrorists and starts to give some explanation for their actions? That had to be worth a look. So of course I read the script and couldn’t put it down (the bath water went cold…)

Our job as actors is to attempt to reproduce, communicate and convey the words of real people - with the same inflexion, hesitation, emotion, accent and meaning that was originally intended. This is a very different technique and leaves you with a responsibility and challenge that’s very different to the norm. Which is why I’m so excited to be part of it.

It’s really very rare to hear verbatim the words of people who have committed such violent, abhorrent acts. Or those people who are deeply affected by them. Or those who are in a position where they must negotiate and reach some kind of settlement with people who are generally seen as beneath contempt.

What’s really chilling though, is that some of the terrorists we meet in this play are really not that different to you or me. The difference is, through particular circumstance, desperation and the belief they really have no other choice - because their voices are not heard - these people resort to acts of extreme violence.

It’s an uncomfortable thought, but we’re never too far away from committing acts of terror ourselves - take away our loved ones, our liberty, our food, our dignity - what would we do? How would we respond if we felt no-one was listening? If there appeared to be no justice forthcoming?

As a child growing up in the seventies, I clearly remember the horrific reports of IRA terror attacks, the murders of civilians, the assassination of establishment figures and of course the Brighton Bomb. I had no idea why they were happening, just that the IRA were the bad guys who should be punished severely.

Working in London in the eighties and nineties, the Tube closing due to a bomb scare was commonplace. The view of the media was clear - the IRA were evil fanatics. To even attempt to rationalise or examine their motives was tantamount to approval. Yet, at least we knew who to despise.

Now of course we’re engaged in ‘A War on Terror‘. We’re none of us too sure who we’re at war with and what we’re fighting exactly. There’s no particular country to aim our hatred. The ‘enemy’ is not at all obvious. The reasons behind it all aren’t clear either.

What is clear however is that to have achieved any progress in eradicating terrorist activity in the past, talking had to take place. As Mo Mowlam said, you have to talk to terrorists. Uncomfortable but true.

OK, so that’s obviously a sensational headline, but I bet it got your attention. And, sometimes, rehearsing a play does feel just a little like belonging to a secret society – albeit one working to produce something positive, illuminating and even entertaining. We meet at night, often in a room under ground and without windows, to recite our text and plan the next move. Then on an agreed date, with watches synchronised, we burst forth upon the public to make our point.

There are three such groups at work right now on the plays that form our mini-season exploring all aspects of terrorism on both the personal and political levels. The Bus, Terrorism and Talking to Terrorists are all cast and in rehearsal with the first (The Bus) due to open on Saturday, 14 March (see web site for full details).

Each of the plays is very distinctive and takes a different approach to the others; Terrorism is a comedy – honest! This makes three visits to The Crescent essential if you are to make the most of this unique opportunity to see how theatre is addressing one of the key concerns for mankind in the early years of the twenty-first century. And, that’s exactly why we’re presenting this mini-season; theatre has always played a role in helping people to understand their lives, throw light on recent events and even to prompt people into thinking about how the world could be a better place for everyone. As a community-based organisation, The Crescent is ideally placed to present these important plays and stimulate debate.

I do hope you’ll agree that this is an important initiative and that you’ll support us over the coming weeks by coming to see these plays and joining us at some of the associated events that are being planned. And, of course, keep an eye on this blog for regular updates from the cells!