Sitting in the client services lounge of C-venues, C-Nova, the cast of The League of St. George could not be more relaxed; they were keeping a low profile though, being a skinhead on today (Saturday 17th August) would not have made them too popular in town.
After all, it was the same day of the SDL (Scottish Defence League) march on the Scottish Parliament but the cast did not seemed phased by the potential attention.
I asked each member of the Bricks and Mortar Theatre Company about how they got into the show.
The writer - Georgia Bliss
Geogia describes herself as a warm person and having met her, it is easy to understand why.
She had been watching shows such as "This is England" and reading "Children of the Sun" which features as skinhead, when she came up with the idea for the show. As she looked into the issue more, it became "engrossing" for her so much so that she wanted to find out more as the topic really held her interest.
She explains to me that East London, where the Bricks and Mortar Theatre Company are based is literally the epicentre of all things BNP (British National Party).
"Its a strange area, half of the town is very multicultural and the other half are completely against multiculturalism."
She has even witnessed groups of white thugs beating up non-white people at bus stops.
Even in work - Georgia used to work in a call centre - there was racism too. It was just so blatant, she explains, racial profiling was rife.
"If someone had an Asian sounding name, we were told not to contact them as the managers had already decided that they would not buy..."
It is somewhat ironic, that the money earned from that call centre job, then went into finding "League of St. George." she explained.
I actually thought that justice.
The Dad - Dan Walker
Dan is only 21, but to look at him, you can see that father figure gleaming in his eyes.
His first overt experience of racism was in High School. It was the language used, the jokes and the slurs. He does explain that it wasn't a racist school, but that that kids just didn't' really understand what they were saying; it was like an ideology picked up and spoken without knowing its true meaning.
Dan explains that he liked the writing of the show - not that Georgia is staring at him from across the room.
"I really wanted to be a part of the production" he said.
"My dad used to be a skinhead". He quickly clarifies. His dad was an original, working class, skin head, before the image was coined and type cast as racist. In those days, you got white and black skin heads together. That is the difference I was told.
Dan talks about the amount of research he did for the show. His knowledge of social history is absolutely astounding, detailing the complete social stratification of each subculture of the time.
The wisdom of his character also comes through in him when I ask him about standing up to racism.
"It only takes one person to do it" he explains. Once you do it, others soon follow.
Is he the "batman" of the group I wonder?
Matt Pearson and Nathan Parkinson - The Skinheads
Both boys seem quiet, relaxed, soft and gentle. The complete dichotomy of the characters portrayed.
Matt's main interest is that he "wanted to convey and a new story to a new audience".
Nathan also finds the "story the show tells engaging" together with the music.
He also lives in Camden and has been around a lot of prejudice. He can relate to his character of "mark" played in the show, who can't get a job and the product of bad parenting. He is clear though, that he he does not relate to the "Anger" or the "Hate".
"Just because you are bored or dont have opportunities, is not excuse for going around mugging and beating people up!" he said.
Matt had a liberal upbringing. His relationship to his character "Jimmy" is a deeply personal one.
His character, tries to find acceptance and probably lacked any support in school. This is why Jimmy probably compromises a lot - the need join the League comes from that need for acceptance.
Matt explains that he is Dyslexic and like Jimmy he did not have that extra support in School. This is why the relationship is personal.
Holly Mallett - The Strong Lady from the shoe shop
Holly comes across as someone you would want to keep on side.
She explains that there are a lot of strong women in her life. It was her dad who gave up his job to be a house husband and her mum who went to work. She describes her house growing up as very intellectual - featuring regular debates around the dinner table.
"My Dad is the biggest feminist in the world" she explains and my family is very matriarchal.
In terms of the show, she gets a real buzz from it. "I wanted to be in it as opposed to just Drum in it" she says.
Her character is easy to relate to. The "shoe shop lady" plays a devils advocate and challenges "Adam" about his role as a skin head; "She really gets the politics of it".
Samantha Lund - The Mum
Sam comes across as the supportive type; it is easy to see the mother in her.
Sam explains that her Mum is very supportive, she is lovely. She wanted to play a Mum like her own mum.
What attracted her to the show was that she "loved the character" and that it is not preachy theatre.
Is there a message in "The League of St. George"?
The show is not preachy, its the story that is important and makes you want to go an watch it.
Dan says that at the end of the show, "you have an empty glass and should be ready to go get another." Or, "Just don't be a racist homophobe!"
All the cast agree that Racism seems to be getting worse. Holly highlights that "life is not so simple and people are just people and that is fine".
Nathan talks about the problem of parenting, "the outdated attitudes are being handed down by parents. The problem is shrinking and shrinking, but until those attitudes die away, there will always be a problem with racism and homophobia"
The League of Saint George is on at C Venues C- NOVA at 21.55 until Monday August 26th. To buy tickets, or to find out more visit the Fringe booking site by clicking here.
To find out more about the show and the Bricks and Mortar Theatre Company, visit their site by clicking here.
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