Radical Angles with a Cutting Edge - Edinburgh reviews 2

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...And the second of the group reviews of both International and Fringe shows was published in the Morning Star on Saturday. It is available here. It covers reviews that I posted in my previous blog post, (Cathy, Out of the Bad, and The Remains of Tom Lehrer), plus reviews of Yo Carmen and Drainage Alley. 

There will, I think, be a further two compilation reviews in the Star in the forthcoming weeks but a couple of shows that have slipped through the net are printed below. 

John McDonnell MP

The increase of spoken word events in the various festivals, means we need to find a reviewing standard to rate them. John McDonnell MP (*****)may have provided us with a standard in this interview (by comedian and presenter, Susan Morrison).

The Shadow Chancellor, and de facto deputy in the Corbyn leadership can sometimes appear severe and harsh in political interviews. In fact he proved to be an entertaining and engaging subject. He ranged over his life, both political and non-political – not the least of his revelations was that he didn’t want to be a politician – he wanted to be manager of the Co-op! 

Moving from Liverpool to London when very young, and taking a number of jobs after school, he eventually became active via the TU movement. Handling questions well, he seemed to charm even unconvinced members of the audience – while showing an impressive grasp  of economics! A performance that did neither him, nor his interviewer any harm.

In contrast, Michelle Shocked's show - Truth vs Reality (**) will not have helped her career. She is a

Michelle Shocked. pic Chad Batka

great singer, and songwriter, but in this show her undoubtedly pure voice plays second fiddle to an onstage exorcism of her treatment by big business. Nobody has any illusion about the  music industry, but sometimes you can be too close to your own story for others to follow, even (or maybe especially) if it is read from a script!

Asylum. Immigration and Women - Edinburgh reviews 1

Yesterday, the Morning Star published my reviews of four shows I've seen at this year's festivals. It is available here and covers Henry Naylor's new play - Borders (*****), and a new play by a Lebanese writer - Ghalia's Miles (***). Both these plays deal with the asylum crisis in the Middle East. The reviews also cover PJ Harvey's concert - the Hope Six Demolition Project (*****) and Sajeela Kershi's guest show Immigrant Diaries (****).

Of these reviews, only one (Borders) continues on a run (till the 28 Aug). There will be another couple of compilation reviews in the Star to come, but I thought it might be of use if I put other continuing shows here so you can decide if you'd like to see them (or not)!

Cathy Owen as Cathy. pic Pamela Raith photography

One I would clearly recommend is Cathy (*****) Pleasance Dome until the 26. Updating a classic performance often loses something but Cathy, a reimagining of Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home, does no such thing. Written by Ali Taylor and staged by Cardboard Citizens who work with homeless and other marginalised people, this updating places the full horror of homelessness in front of us.  Cathy and her daughter – now 15 and taking GCSEs – experience the trauma - zero-hours work, low wages, eviction, uprooting, family breakup. The performances by all the cast are spot on, believable and affecting in equal measure. The audience were angry – the best result that could be achieved. See it if you can.

On the other hand, there is - The Girl who loved Stalin (*) The Space @ Jury's Inn until the 26. Sometimes it seems that some fringe shows are there only to get the cast a free pass to the festival social life. This would be one of them. The play seems to have no point, the performers have neither ability nor timing, but worst of all – they seem aware of this and don’t care. Occasional asides are the only signs of life in this unfunny and amateurish production. 50 minutes of my life I won’t get back.

Kate Donnelly and Keira Lucchesi

At times poignant, angry, joyous and an unusual way to approach the Caterpillar Occupation of 30 years ago, Out of the Bad (****) New Town Theatre until the 25, is a short two-hander between a mother (who was part of the occupation) and her daughter. Kate Donnelly and Keira Lucchesi deliver the characters with humour and life. Produced by FairPley, and directed by Sarah McCardie it is a short play (50 mins) and leaves us wanting more – which in fact there is in Butterfly (not playing here). A great taster about the impact of major industrial events on the workers. 

Finally, The Remains of Tom Lehrer (****) Gilded Balloon Teviot until 28.  Adam Kay, writer, comedian and performer takes a trip around the history and songs of Tom Lehrer. A child prodigy and maths lecturer, Lehrer started writing blackly comic (and often political) songs to entertain colleagues. While they were never played on the radio, they spread by word of mouth after he issued a self-produced album in 1953. How he got away with songs like We will all go together when we go about nuclear annihilation, or I wanna go back to Dixie  - “where the laws are mediaeval” during the period of McCarthy is unknown, but Kay does them justice. Interwoven with stories about Lehrer’s life (he is still alive) and careers the show is a worthy – if short – tribute.

 

Rich pickings for the Culture Vulture - Edinburgh Festivals Preview

It seems like some time since I posted anything vaguely cultural here, but that is about to change!

Last Saturday our friends in the Morning Star printed my preview of the Fringe at this year's Edinburgh Festivals. This (and the International Festival) started this weekend and I thought it was worth posting a link to it here. Mine is the second of the two reviews posted there.

The International Festival meanwhile is celebrating its 70 Anniversary. The trade union link has been ably dealt with by Ann Henderson in an earlier Star, but it is a pity that much of the ‘Spirit of ‘47’ events are only available online and not in the printed programme.  

PJ Harvey. pic Maria Mochnaz

In addition to the rich classical and dramatic programme dealt with so ably by my colleague Gordon Parsons in the first half of the Star preview, the contemporary music programme features, PJ Harvey, and Anoushka Shankar. Other contemporary music highlights promise to be the eclectic Benjamin Clementine, and Jarvis Cocker/Chilly Gonzalez in Room 29 of the Los Angeles Chateau Marmont. 

The slightly-less-contemporary music scene sees legendary produce Joe Boyd try and recreate

Joe Boyd. pic Andrew Goertler

the Music of the Incredible String Band – very cellular songs, using a range of guest musicians, (yes he does include Mike Heron). Boyd was one of the seminal producers of the ‘60s, working with Pink Floyd, Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, R.E.M., John Martyn, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Billy Bragg, and Nick Drake as well as ISB.(An interesting Nick Drake link is the appearance by the Unthanks at this year's book festival. They have reinterpreted the little-known song and poetry of Molly Drake, Nick's mother. Their amazing voices promise an intriguing treatment.)

In the Classical Music side there are as ever, many gems. A spectacular two-orchestra show with the RSNO and the Mariinsky Orchestra marks the centenary of the Russian Revolution.  A flamenco version of Carmen from Spain’s Maria Pages company rubs shoulders with an opera version of Steven Berkoff's resetting of the Oedipus story, Greek. Written by Mark-Anthony Turnage the myth is updated and set in London's east end. Expect references to racism, football violence and industrial unrest! 

I am girding my loins for a busy (but hopefully not unrewarding) three weeks!

Songwriting Talents Old and New(ish). Edinburgh Festivals 2

My first compilation piece from Edinburgh is in the Morning Star today. It includes the Angel review in last Thursday's blog, and also a review of Road - Jim Cartwright's slice of Lancashire life under Thatcher (to be posted later) - and two reviews of singer songwriters. Rab Noakes has been around for a little while now. and made a triumphant return after a break fighting cancer. While Roy Harper's son Nick, is not a callow youth (he first recorded in 1994 for f***'s sake!) his live set now has the kind of range and depth that deserve bigger audiences than Edinburgh's Jazz Bar can provide. The full reviews of both artists are below.

Rab Noakes – Acoustic Music Centre - August 14 – (*****) 

Noakes returned to the fringe after a year out – fighting tonsillar cancer – and delivered a superbly

Rab Noakes. pic by Alan McMillan

polished and sparkling solo set.

Although he understandably concentrated on his newest album – I’m Walking Here – for the largest number of the tracks, he also went back into the history for Branch (his best-known single) and Jackson Greyhound – a reflection on the civil rights fight in the Southern States.

As must be an occupational hazard with songwriters, Noakes has used his fight against cancer to inspire new songs – in particular the defiant, That won’t Stop me! And the more reflective Water is my Friend.

Add in some treatments of other songwriters’ material – like Michael Marra’s The Guernsey Kitchen Porter – and you have a full picture of a singer-songwriter back on top of his game. It’s good to see him back! He's got a show in Cupar in October.

Nick Harper. pic by Mark Hunt

Nick Harper – The Jazz Bar – until August 27 (then on tour) (****)

Harper’s unique guitar playing ensured his talents as musician and writer are displayed to the full.

Son of singer-songwriter Roy, Harper uses a finger-picking style all of his own. As his song Simple proclaims, he has ‘everything he needs, no drums, no bass’ to produce intelligent, articulate songs.

A short set nevertheless marked both the passing of Prince (Purple Rain) and Evo – his tribute to Bolivian President Evo Morales.

His undoubted talent deserves a bigger venue than this.

Sharp in word and politics

The Morning Star has published some more of my Festival reviews. Again, and for obvious reasons, they have amalgamated a number of reviews into one piece here. Here is one of the original reviews - of Elvis McGonagall's excellent new show.

Are you being Served?

Elvis McGonagall - Countrybile, the Stand in the Square. 1.40pm every day. until 30 Aug. 5/5

Performance poet, Elvis McGonagall launched his new show at the fringe. In a Yurt. In the St Andrew's Square Gardens. And he's dealing with the trials (and benefits) of living in the country. Be not afeared though, those of you who revel in his pointed political poetry, there's still plenty of that, particularly now " the Lib Dem stabilisers are off the Tory tricycle of doom!"

But the new show deals in more 'lifestyle' topics than pure politics, although that doesn't mean that targets aren't skewered. Kirstie Allsopp's self-help programmes, Mammals (or middle aged men in Lycra) and in particular the heartfelt lament of pub barstaff (Are you being served?) point to the truth of so-called rural idylls, and can make you lose your mascara laughing. Not that all is nasty in the woodshed. An lovely lyrical piece - Purbeck - the enduring isle - celebrates the beauty and persistence of landscape.

But politics will out, and Greece is the word and No more Mr Nice Guy - a hymn to Aspiration, plant us back in modern times. McGonagall's genius is his ability to hone his language into a a rapier-like instrument - and then to plant it firmly between the ribs that deserve it. "bend it like Blatter'" indeed!

Some more familiar material is woven into the show, from the litany of Scottish icons in The Scottish Lion's Rampant to the gangsta rap version of the Queens Speech - "Bessie in the big house" is indeed "comin' atcha"- and in the process displays McGonagall's gift for impression. We're left with the hint of hope. "Have the courage to be kind."

A top lunchtime treat. What's not to like? Go.

Edinburgh Festivals 3. Sin, Dystopia and Scotland

...and this is the two of the other reviews from Saturday's Morning Star article (see previous blog). (The other one was in my first Edinburgh blog.)

Paul Bright's Confessions of a Justified Sinner. Edinburgh International Festival, Queen's Hall. 19-22 Aug 8.00pm 4/5

James Hogg's Confessions of a Justified Sinner is deservedly a cult novel. Written at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and set at the beginning of the previous century, it deals with the history of a character (Robert Wringhim) who is convinced by a doppelgänger (Gil-Martin) that he is a member of the elect, chosen by God for heaven and therefore unable to sin whatever he does. And what he does is murder.

However the fascination of the book is in what we don't know. Who is Gil-Martin? The devil? An evil twin? Or maybe a part of Wringhim's own mind - and an early exposition of the duality inherent in Scottish fiction from Stevenson to Gray. The novel operates on different levels.

George Anton in Confessions... (photo Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)

This is where the drama takes place, Untitled Projects go on to place further layers of artifice on top of that. It is a recreation of a (failed) attempt to stage a version of the book, and the toll it takes on its participants, one of whom, actor George Anton tells the story.

Constructed from a hugely impressive collection of artefacts - books, notebooks, posters, flyers, filmclips, and even the cassette from an answering machine - the drama unfolds leading to the inevitable death of the key participant - Paul Bright - who ends up inhabiting the part of the doomed Wringhim. The history of a young unsung radical Scottish theatre director is finally being told.

The level of detail that has been created in staging this 'history' is astounding. We enter through an exhibition of the artefacts. But we are gradually aware that something isn't quite right. The artefacts are manufactured, the films are of actors playing actors, Paul Bright never, in fact, existed. And we ask what we are really watching? Just as the book itself leaves us with the key layers and divisions unexplained, so the drama builds even more layers on top of that. Is Bright a reincarnation of Wringhim? What is the relationship between Anton and Bright? Is it all, in Anton's phrase 'lying and getting away with it'?

This is an important treatment of an vital novel - especially important at a time when the image Scotland has of itself is at a crossroads, and has the same fracture referred to by Hogg. It is also exceptionally well staged and created. It is a slight disappointment then, that the layers that are piled onto an already complex story, are a little self-referential. It is about more than drama and the arts.

How would you like your dystopia?
Dark Matter, Venue 13, 17.15, Until 29 August. 3/5
The trouble with dystopias that reflect where we are with any level of accuracy, is that it is

As civilization burns...

difficult to make them funny. Just referring to them as a ‘dark comedy’ doesn’t make it so. Such is the problem with Dark Matter, the first show by Dark Matters Productions. This is a apocalyptic and moral (possibly even religious) take on the financial and political crisis.

A congressman and a banker meet again as violence overwhelms Western civilization.  The financial meltdown has arrived, Congress is burning and the mob is stringing up those they consider responsible. These two have previous. Up to their pretty ears in involvement, and personal relationship, they’ve been brought back together by ‘the boss’, Nick (Old Nick?). There is drama, as the two fight about responsibility and personal guilt, but they are clearly locked together, at the end of the ‘world’. 

All seems dark as they leave the stage – but then a shiny chat show (or televangelist?) reveals the two ‘reborn’ as new age global leaders and happy marrieds. That the new order is based on the exposure/execution of the ‘boss’ and the ‘cleansing’ of most of the population gives the dark, satirical twist – think Chris Morris meets Charlie Brooker. The trouble is, we are shown the problem and the danger but given no inkling of a solution.
The writing is sharp. The acting good. The comedy bitter – but not that funny.  Best ironic moment is the valedictory music, as Barry McGuire (now a born-again Christian) sings his apocalyptic ‘Eve of Destruction’ as we file out!

Post-referendum, but not post-political!

Here is my piece in the Morning Star on the things I am looking forward to in this year's Edinburgh Festivals. This year the Star will have four of us providing reviews of various events, and my other colleagues (Gordon Parsons, Mike Quille, and Jody Porter) have also their highlights here. I've also added some events in the Book Festival and this and word limitations of the print media mean that the piece below is not a comprehensive survey. I've tried to add additional planned shows at the end (par 8 ff).

AFTER last year’s referendum-related material, this year’s festivals look much lighter politically on the surface. A closer look though reveals that there is plenty to tempt the radical political animal.
Last year’s successes used referendum fever to look deeper into “Scottishness” and this year’s most intriguing material ploughs the same furrow.

Confessions - what levels do we read it?

Paul Bright’s Confessions of a Justified Sinner is a complex treatment of James Hogg’s 18th-century novel, an early focus on Scotland’s “split personalities.” The novel ranges between family feud and psychological fable and this production by Untitled Projects and the National Theatre of Scotland adds a further layer by telling it as a “metafiction” in which the failed performance never took place — or did it?

This year’s fringe has some political topics, mainly in theatre productions which deal with themes as disparate as the miners’ strike (Undermined); the cold war (The Communist Threat); and Joan Littlewood (Joan, Babs and Shelagh Too).

Mark Steel

This year’s Assembly Rooms (AR) shows concentrate more on the spoken word, with well-known stand ups Jo Brand, Alexei Sayle and Mark Thomas discussing their work in the Talking Comedy series. Both Brand and Thomas also have their own shows elsewhere as does Mark Steel, who makes a welcome return to the fringe after 19 years away. I’m looking forward particularly to Countrybile, the new show from Elvis McGonagall.

Fair Pley’s innovative Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas, also returns to the Stand in the Square with some more controversial proposals from academics — ban students from Edinburgh, anyone? This The Periodic Fable, a scientific panto for young and old.

The Periodic Fable

year the producers also target the younger element with

After last year’s Israeli company controversy, this year features at least two Palestinian events. Playwright David Greig has crowdfunded 12 Palestinian artists to visit the festival and perform in an all-day programme. And at the AR Mark Thomas and Mark Steel, along with Daniel Kitson and Ivor Dembina, get together for a Free Gaza fundraiser to provide front-line medical support for people in Gaza.

At the Book festival too, Ghada Karmi (How Does it Feel When You Can’t Go Home?) and Avi Shlaim (Why Israel's Problems Remain Real) deal with aspects of the Palestinian tragedy. It is heartening that these two are already sold out. My other favourite Spurs fan, John Crace is speaking on his parliamentary sketchwriting in Coalition Confidential. Marcus O'Dair discusses his biography of music legend, Robert Wyatt in From Soft Machine to Shipbuilding. A series of talks on the future of libraries promises some interesting speculations and Elvis McGonagall reappears in the Comic Verse session.


Elsewhere on the Fringe one of the most unlikely tribute bands of all time line up to rekindle the Captain! Orange Claw Hammer present - Beefheart and Cheeze!

Programmes with booking links are; Fringe - https://www.edfringe.com/visit-the-fringe/programme
International - http://www.eif.co.uk/festival-2015#.Vb5fFkUwHIohttp://www.eif.co.uk/festival-2015#.Vb5fFkUwHIo and Book - https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/events

Is the Personal, the Political? Fringe Blog no 1

Early in the Edinburgh Fringe, and already themes are becoming apparent. The gap between the personal and the wider population seems to be a significant theme, both directly and indirectly! It is an obvious factor when considering the political situation, and the increase in political topics at this years fringe has maybe contributed to the significance of this (see my piece on this in the Morning Star here ) but it hasn't only impacted on obvious political material.

Hindsight - a first play from Scottish comedian Keir McAllister has no obvious political message, although the broad topic of individual decisions and their impact on others - especially when a male ego is involved - has considerable resonance in many gender politics debates!

How much do we make decisions affecting other people in our own interests, and how often do we take theirs into account? And if we only look at it from our perspective, can we ever supersede our own ego?

McAllister gets that across in what is essentially a one person play - albeit with three actors. And he does it with humour and humanity. Obviously having a director of the calibre of Phillip Differ, and actors like Raymond Mearns, James Kirk and Paul Sneddon, all regulars on the standup circuit, gives the play a fighting chance. You should give it more than that. It is worth it and a good first start. It's at the Assembly Rooms until Aug 24,  1.15pm

One of the plays successes is that it recognises that we may not be aware when we take decisions for our own personal advancement, and not for the greater good. Matt Forde isn't so self aware. His show The Political Party, addresses his enthusiasm. An admitted Blairite, Forde's view is that politics needs more 'characters', and he proceeds to identify (and impersonate some).

This should be more fun than it is. An unrepentant political enthusiast (he was out canvassing at 13!) Forde tries to convince us that the whole thing is such fun, that people whose views are frankly objectionable are great personalities and have charisma. I'm not sure, however, that Nigel Farage as a drinking buddy convinced many people (I'm glad to say).

But it isn't in this that the problems arise for this performance. Even an hour in the company of political personalities leaves one wanting more on the issues. He does the voices well, but Forde is an impressionist, whereas Ian Grieve (who plays Gordon Brown in The Confession of Gordon Brown) inhabits his part. It is also an example of how limited the politics of personality are. Not terrible, but it begins to pall. Matt Forde is in the Pleasance Dome until the 25 August, 4.00pm.

I wont be back in Edinburgh until later in August. Hopefully more culture and politics will be winging it by then!

Tales from the city-the second, (and third). Talking (about) books.

You CAN judge a book by looking at the cover

One of the main reasons for going to Edinburgh at festival time, is to take in the decidedly civilised ambience of the Book Festival. Unlike the somewhat frantic hubbub of the city streets, Charlotte Square remains an oasis, and the events scheduled have a good chance of being successfully as advertised, something often lacking in the Fringe! (Mind you they do need to provide more seating in the cafe/bar areas!)

To the Square first to listen to Jon Gray and Jamie Keenan, expound their Twenty irrefutable theories of book cover design. Keenan and Gray are both exceptional book cover designers, whose styles seem to be both very different, and to fit together neatly. (see Jamie Keenan designs here http://www.keenandesign.com/index.html, and some Jon Gray here http://bookcoverarchive.com/gray318). It is no surprise to find they have previously worked together, and you will find yourself spotting books that you have noticed in shops (which after all, is the point) as you look at their portfolios.

Aaaaahhhhhh!!

The ‘Twenty theories’ covered a vast range of ideas, and principles, from standard design rules (on use of white space for example), to specific book considerations (not revealing important plot twists etc.). However the presentation needed trimming to get the best effect in the 45 mins available. Not yet available on line or in print (a book is in preparation), my favourite was the last. #20 When all else fails, use a picture of a cute kitten !  Jen Bowden in the Guardian has helped by listing the theories here. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/aug/16/book-cover-theories-edinburgh-festival 

Another book-related presenting pair (aren’t they all book-related? Stop splitting hairs!) were John Crace and John Sutherland. Crace is the Guardian’s ‘Abbreviated Books’ columnist, parodying and condensing modern and classic fiction. He treated us to both David Copperfield, and Antonia Fraser’s memoir of Pinter, showing both sides of his work - homage to satire! The fact that he is a great Spurs fan too, helps my appreciation of him immensely!

John Sutherland

John Sutherland, was an academic lecturer in English Literature. The author of ‘Can Jane Eyre be happy’ and Where was Rebecca shot?’, he is used to approaching the classics from unusual angles. His current book Lives of the Novelists sets out to provide a huge history of fiction in 294 lives. As his examples from Stevenson and Scott proved, his penchant for an oblique eye has not been lost!

Future Festival Blogs

One of the problems re blogging on festival events is that if you’re at them, you’re not talking about them, and before you get round to do that, they’re finished (a bit like the 1960's really).  So I thought I’d do some more reflective stuff (code for too lazy to meet deadlines - lets hear it for Douglas Adams!). Look out for blogs on Past Labour ‘Leaders’, Oratory in politics, Franco and Spain and (in particular) Saying ‘Thanks’ to bus drivers.

Tales from the city - the first

As we are now able to, Doreen and I have decided to spend more time than usual in various parts of the eastern city at events arranged during August. Apparently they have a goodly number of them at that time, who would have thought it? I hope to keep up a regular blog of reviews.

Legends in tribute to the Legend

At the newly refurbished Assembly Rooms, the first event was Songs of Struggle, an extension of the successful concerts arranged to celebrate the UCS 40^th Anniversary. Some of Scotland’s greatest singers came together and put on a concert inspired by the birth centenary of political activist and folk legend - Woody Guthrie.

Alastair MacDonald

Alastair MacDonald kicked off the show with Irish traditional song Kelly, the boy from Killane. he followed it with a classic ‘Thurso Berwick’ (Morris Blythman) song Perfervidum Ingaenium Scotorum. It set the good size audience up for a sparkling evening. While there were a good number of classic left political songs, set through it were more unusual items. Sheena Wellington, who followed MacDonald, set a more laid-back tone with her a cappella songs (including her own Women o’ Dundee). Dave Anderson - fresh from his success in Oran Mor’s Summer panto - Alice in Poundland, revisited Wildcat’s play about the 84 Miners’ Strike with his version of Dead Liberty. The balance problem between the keyboard and voice didn’t lose too much of the context.

Arthur and Brian at the UCS
concert in the Old Fruitmarket

It was left, appropriately enough, to Arthur Johnstone, and Brian Miller to bring us to the specific Woody Guthrie songs of the night, highlighting Ramblin Round, (a nice version of this song by Bob Dylan can be heard here -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76kx2CPXiyE ) and Do Re Mi.

The short tribute ended with the ensemble performance of This land is your land, and sent the pleased audience on their way with Guthrie’s So long (its been good to know you).

Short, though the concert was, it was a fitting tribute. With the Guthrie songbook hardly even pauchled, never mind plundered, his hundredth birthday has surely some more mileage yet?

And did those feet...?

It is probably taking a step too far to see Danny Boyle’s inclusion of suffragettes, trade unions and the NHS in his Olympic opening ceremony as a left ‘claim-staking’ of cultural events in the UK. (Mind you wasn’t it great that so many right-wing politicians and media made fools of themselves berating the ‘lefty propaganda’?). However, the left has certainly, in recent years evinced an increasing interest and involvement in cultural and artistic events.

A number of items at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival point to this revival of socialist and working-class interest in, and use of, cultural and artistic activities to reach people and to raise their profile in general.

Tony Benn

At the Assembly Rooms, produced/programmed this year by Tommy Sheppard (himself no stranger to radical ideas), old skool left Labour ex-Parliamentarian, Tony Benn will be taking the stage to introduce a forthcoming filmed biography - Will and Testament. This has been over a year in the gestation and covers, among many struggles, Benn’s involvement in the 1971/2 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in. This was a struggle he remembered last year as he took part in the Gala Concert staged to mark the 40^th Anniversary in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre - many attendees will remember the film crew following Tony around.

Woody Guthrie

In addition a number of the other participants in that concert (and the subsequent Celtic Connections concert) are coming back together to mark another working-class anniversary - the centenary of the birth of Woody Guthrie, dust bowl poet and singer, communist and inspirer of many of today’s folk singers, most notably Bob Dylan. Arthur Johnstone, Alistair MacDonald, David Anderson and Sheena Wellington lead the line up paying homage to Guthrie.

While this might be seen as the product of successful concerts and the desire of a new producer/programmer to strike out in a new direction from his predecessor, in fact these events are the latest examples of might be seen as a resurgence of ‘socialist culture’ that seems to be taking hold.

MayDay

Previous events included the UCS 40^th Anniversary Concerts, and other highlights like the screening of Cinema Action’s films of the Work-in, but there are also the two years of cultural activity around Glasgow’s traditional MayDay march. Although low-key, these are increasingly being distinguished by the rise in the number of campaigning organisations staging events. Last year the programme featured Scottish Left Review, Cuba Solidarity, and the International Brigades Association as well as Glasgow’s Trades Union Council and the co-ordinating Glasgow Friends’s of MayDay.

Our Class, Our Culture

Also Scotland is seeing a series of increasingly respected Morning Star Our Class, Our Culture discussion sessions. These last have featured well-known artistic performers, writers and composers, such as Dave MacLennan, Alistair Findlay and William Sweeney, and have covered the contribution of different genres to working class struggle, and the impact of different artists - like Robert Tressell. 

Tressell also features at Edinburgh with a production of Stephen Lowe’s two-handed dramatisation of his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, produced by Townsend Productions and Unite the union, and a South African Season also features, led by Athol Fugard’s Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act and Woza Albert! from The Market Theatre in Johannesburg (at the (other) Assembly).

The awakening of trade unions to the profile-raising and appeal-broadening sides to this cultural activity is significant. The UCS and Tressell productions have been financed largely by Unite the union, and the other large player, UNISON has been running a number of interesting and innovative Mobilise sessions around Scotland - bringing singing, music, comedy and cartooning directly into the fight. 

A 'Golden Thread'

As someone who has long argued that the use of culture and the arts should be much more of a ‘natural’ element for trade unions, and the left in general, these developments are welcome. I don’t think I am alone, either, in seeing in the flashmob, and other theatrical stunts produced by UK Uncut and the Occupy movements, a practical application of this link. While it should not, (and cannot successfully) be separated from the need to have a clear political direction and a planned campaign, the use of music, drama, imaginative writing and all the entertainment of a well produced event needs to be increased. 

After all, as Boyle himself said his ceremony had  “a single golden thread of purpose - the idea of Jerusalem - of the better world, the world of real freedom and true equality…”. Maybe my original theory doesn’t sound a step too far after all! I suspect Woody Guthrie would have subscribed to Boyle's " ...belief that we can build Jerusalem. And that it will be for everyone”.

Woody Guthrie sings the concerns of people in the 30’s and in the 10’s

A number of hugely interesting developments are planned for this years Edinburgh Fringe. Following on the increased interest in political music at this years Celtic Connections, a similar development seems to be hitting Edinburgh’s festivals - in particular the Fringe.

Woody Guthrie - his guitar killed fascists!

At the city’s Assembly Rooms, new broom, Tommy Shepherd has programmed a sweep of new projects, and specifically two nights of concerts celebrating the centenary of dust-bowl folk singer and political activist, Woody Guthrie.

The links are more than coincidental, as the organisers of the concerts, FairPley, are the same people who organised the UCS 40^th Anniversary Concerts in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre, and during Celtic Connections at the Old Fruitmarket, and certain similarity in the artists will also be seen!

The Songs of Struggle concerts star some of Scotland’s finest singers, including Dave Anderson, Arthur Johnstone, Alastair McDonald and Sheena Wellington, plus guests. They will be singing songs by Guthrie, who provided the voice for the many dispossessed during the depression created by the financial crisis in 1930’s United States. It is no wonder that there is an increasing interest in Guthrie, as we struggle in the depths of another crisis of financial capitalism.

Guthrie, of course, was as well-known for inspiring other singers and artists - Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs (when is he to be due his re-discovery?) and of course Bob Dylan - as singing songs himself, and the stars of this concert will also sing material inspired by Woody.

The concerts are at 9.00pm on 11 and 12 August in the Assembly Rooms’ Ballroom. Tickets are £14.50/£12.50 from www.arfringe.com or 0844 693 3008. Why not get your union branch to block book tickets and get a discount? Contact Jim or Stephen at FairPley - 0141 418 0562

An increasingly strengthening link between left politics and artistic performance is being seen across Scotland, and it is certainly one to which the Captain will be returning in the near future. In particular the return to Scotland of veteran socialist and former UCS minister, Tony Benn, with his biographical film. Keep an eye on the Captain’s grumps!