Edinburgh Fringe - Bin Laden The One Man Show

It is about time someone did a show about this monster of a man!  He was a mass murdering lunatic, a renegade, a despot, a terrorist and err, a family man?

The western media has encouraged us to use language of condemnation and judgement and how else are we to respond to someone who is responsible for the atrocity of 9/11?  However, do any of us really know the Man?

Bin Laden: The One Man Show is the brainchild of Knaive Theatre.  The show is not what you expect and this is how Bin Laden - played by Sam Redway - is presented from the outset.

The audience is asked politely - by a handsome, blonde haired, young man in jeans and shirt - whether they would like a cup of tea, milk sugar and a biscuit or two as they take their seats.  You are also presented on stage with a flip chart and what appears to be an autobiography. 

For a moment, you will have a second take, am I in the right place?  It would not be unexpected to ask yourself "I thought this was a show about Bin Laden?"

It is this challenge to the perception of what to expect from the outset that sets the scene for what is to come.  This is very important as both Sam Redway and Director Toby Tyrrell-Jones have to get the audience to release their preconceptions.

The story of Bin Laden is laid open, in a style designed to relate to a western audience.  Soft and business like Sam Redway releases the character's Charm without mimicry or stereotypical supposition.

In this way, the story of the Man is made human again.  The demonic, media monster montage is  dissolved.  We are introduced to Bin Laden the family man, Bin Laden the Scholar, Bin Laden the warrior against poverty, inequality, disenfranchisement and as a crusader against corruption in Government. 

The show opens your eyes into the life of the Man as opposed to the character narrated on through the media news.  

The show does not condone acts of terrorism, but it does offer a differing view concerning the motivations of the Man.  This may appear bitter sweet for any audience but as the character develops we are presented with the all to familiar mantra; Bin Laden condemning the West just as the West has condemned him. 

The energy of Bin Laden's motivation is projected in Sam Redway's portrayal of the man.  This would have been a difficult performance to put on for any actor or for any new Director bringing such an unexpected first to an International audience.

Knaive Theatre, present this show professionally and with dignity.  The content is well researched and remains relevant throughout.  The Audience's attention is held remarkably.

Challenge your assumptions, and leave your preconceptions at the door.  This is a magnificent performance.

Bin Laden The One Man Show is one at C Venues C Nova at 19.35 until Monday 26 August 2013.  The show then transfers to London for a limited run. 

You can book tickets for the remaining Fringe performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Box Office or at the C Nova Box Office.   

For more information about the show, visit the company's website: http://www.knaivetheatre.com/

Or follow them on Twitter: @BinLadenShow


   

  



    

Everyone needs to pee - except transgender people in Arizona apparently

With thanks to Gordon Ellis for preparing this short commentary on a story that is currently making the rounds concerning why transgender people need to go to the bathroom.

"The Independent (20 March) reports that Equality activists are outraged as Arizona considers banning transgender people from using public toilets not designated for their birth sex.

The proposal comes less than a month after the city of Phoenix passed a human rights ordinance prohibiting gender identity discrimination in public accommodations.
The prohibition of gender identity discrimination appears to be a positive step in addressing an issue which crosses the Atlantic to the UK, but the illogical proposal to ban transgender people from using public toilets, seems to totally contradict the ordinance from Phoenix.
The Republican proposer, is nailing his colours to the mast and creating an opportunity for the national debate which seems to be taking place in the USA to be aired in the legislature.
One must hope that common sense prevails, and the “Land of the Free” lives up to its name.
From a UK equality perspective, it is good that issues such as this are being aired in our media, and in a relatively supportive way.
It is however, indicative of a fair way still to go on this, and many other equality issues. With absolutely no irony at all, I read another media report, that in Pakistan, all public forms which require to be completed now have three boxes for completion, male female or transgender."

This has happened before

Sadly, this is not the first time that a story like this has hit the media.

Around two years ago, a similar issue was raised in the national media in the United Kingdom. In that case, a trans woman was accosted and complained against in a Sainsbury's supermarket for using the ladies toilets.

It was claimed that the trans woman should have used the disabled toilet.

Everyone needs to pee

First of all, everyone need to go to the bathroom.

It does not matter is you are male, female or transgender.

The difficulty is societal perception; we are obsessed with gender stereotypes, gender norms and most relevant, an automatic assumption of binary gender - male and female.

There is also an unfounded perception that because a transgender man or woman is using a gendered toilet in their acquired gender, that they are engaged in criminal, or more usually sexual, activity.

The Scottish Transgender Alliance is an organisation that campaigns for transgender equality and awareness in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK and also in Europe.  I tweeted about this story and this is what they had to say.

Equality law in Great Britain

The Equality Act requires public bodies, service providers and employers not to discriminate on grounds of gender reassignment. The protection in law extends to cover discrimination by association and perception.

In order to obtain full gender recognition in Great Britain, there is no actual requirement to undergo gender reassigned to surgery.

Many transgender people will want to live their life in their acquired gender. For some, it is a requirement, prior to approval for gender reassignment surgery.

This would not be a problem if we did not have an obsession with binary gender roles and by extension, binary gender toilets - male toilets and female toilets.

Transgender does not equate to being disabled

Transgender people are also not disabled because of their gender reassignment status.

There may be some form of disability arising from gender reassignment, for example, on grounds of mental health.

There is no reason therefore to ask someone to use an accessible toilet, or to deny the use of gendered - male or female - toilets.

Solutions

In many organisations, there are at least some, gender neutral toilets. In these circumstances, no one has a complaint.

The title of this article highlights the crux; transgender people need to pee too.

If peeing is criminal, then we will all be going to jail.