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


   

  



    

Edinburgh Fringe - MISSING

If one person goes missing in Britain every two minutes, why do we not care?  

A simple enough message, but when combined with our societal discourses of gender, age, social and economic background to name but a few MISSING by the Engineer Theatre does not shy from pulling punches.

The performance opens in a paparazzi frenzy, a poster of Madeline McCann held aloft; almost elevated to God Like status.  This is quickly contrasted with the case of Luke, a teenage boy, who disappeared following a night out and this time not a camera in sight!  The show then shifts back into 1957, to explore the still unsolved case of Moria Anderson and jumps forward again to the mid 90s and latterly to present day.

The performance's time shifting - back and forth through each unique case - lays bear the discrepancies in Police, Media and Societal responses to such an important topic.  The Audience is invited to challenge their assumptions. 

Who is responsible for finding Missing people?  Is it the Police, Social Services, Family, Friends or the Media?  Difficult questions are asked throughout and in the case of Luke - explored through the experience of his Mum, Sister and Two Friends, we are left to consider is there an institutional hierarchy at play concerning how the Police respond or the Media get "their" story?

In another case, the Police perspective is relayed, taken from the point of view of a desk bound Officer, struggling under his case load, lacking effective resources and constantly fighting the edge of time.  Is it ever going to be realistic to find these people?

The story of MISSING is not something you would traditionally associate with the fight for equality, against discrimination or for human rights.  However, this in itself is also an assumption - a stereotype - that perhaps explains why Society has let this issue slip from the public consciousness.

MISSING shines light into that darkened, cobwebbed area of a topic hitherto unexplored.  If you are interested in equality or human rights themes or even just a story that captivates without a pin dropping on the floor - see the show.

MISSING is on at the Underbelly at 8.05 in the Cowgate.  You can buy tickets, or find out more from the Fringe Box Office by clicking here.     

To find out more about the show's company, Engineer Theatre, click here. 

  

"AIDS comes from unhealthy relationships..." - BBC response

As you may recall, one of my earlier posts, concerned the media portrayal of HIV and AIDS.

In my previous post, I referenced a comment made on the BBC The Big Questions programme.

I was angry that the comments made went unchallenged.

Here is what the BBC had to say, in reply to my complaint:

"Thank you for contacting us regarding 'The Big Questions', broadcast on 17 March on BBC One.
We understand you were offended by a remark made by an audience member during the programme in relation to AIDS, which you felt went unchallenged by the presenter, Nicky Campbell.
Whilst we fully appreciate your concern, having reviewed the programme, we feel Nicky did challenge the audience member about his statement. I've transcribed the relevant part of the conversation below:
Audience Member: “When God laid down the Ten Commandments, 'thou shalt not', all the time he didn’t do it to try and oppress us, he did it for good reason, like AIDS, for things like that. Now it says in the Bible.....”
Nicky Campbell: "Like what?"
Audience Member: "Like getting AIDS, AIDS culture from unhealthy relationships and things."
Nicky Campbell: "Heterosexual people get AIDS too."
Audience Member: "Well yes..."
Nicky Campbell: "But what?"
Audience Member: "The thing about it, what I am trying to say, a man should be with a woman, okay? What I see there are gay people and lesbian people..."
Nicky Campbell: "But Syphilis and Gonorrhoea and all that...."
Therefore, as you have rightly pointed out, Nicky was making the same point to the audience member in question by clarifying that it isn't only gay or lesbian people who can get AIDS (i.e. HIV which can progress into AIDS).
However, we appreciate how strongly you feel on this matter and we're guided by our audience feedback, so we’d like to assure you that your complaint has been registered on our audience log. This is an internal report of audience feedback that we compile on a daily basis and it’s made available to 'The Big Questions', channel executives and senior management.
The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.
Thanks once again for taking the time to contact us."

It remains important that where there is a negative portrayal of HIV or AIDS in the media that this is challenged.

I do not agree that the BBC, on this occasion, made that challenge.

It looked as though the presenter of the programme wanted to encourage further comment from this particular audience member.

Unfortunately, the link to HIV and AIDS in relation to sexual orientation, be it straight, gay or bisexual, was never properly challenged.

HIV transmission

• HIV can be transmitted through body fluid - blood, semen and vaginal fluid

• It can also be transmitted through the shared use of intravenous needles or the use of contaminated needles

• It can also be transmitted through breast milk.

It is time to separate sexual orientation from HIV,

There are several ways of transmitting HIV; sexual orientation is not a source of transmission of HIV

Greater awareness is required

What is important, is that everyone is aware of how HIV infection can be transmitted and the steps that can be taken to prevent transmission.

If there was a greater understanding of how HIV can be transmitted, then the old stereotypical assumptions, equating sexual orientation to the spreading of disease, would begin to fade away.

"Getting AIDS comes from unhealthy relationships"

On BBC The Big Questions, aired on Sunday 17 March 2013, a religious audience member stated live on BBC TV that "getting AIDS comes from unhealthy relationships".  He went on to reference Gay men and Lesbians.  

The Presenter of the the programme did not robustly challenge him concerning this contribution.  

It can be difficult on a live television discussion programme to ensure that audience participants in the show avoid making derogatory  offensive or prejudicial remarks.

However, the BBC must set some standards for its television presenters and audience participants, even if the show is the topic of Christianity and Modernity.

My primary objection to this particular contribution, is that it was allowed to go unchallenged.

The Presenter moved quickly onto the next contribution and encouraged the audience member to elaborate on his contribution.

Because of the show's religious element, the BBC permitted this particular contribution to be broadcast and also to go unchallenged.

The BBC knew, or ought to have known, that this contribution was both stigmatising and inaccurate.

Two resounding questions for the BBC

Why is it that linking someone's sexual orientation to the spread of AIDS makes acceptable Sunday morning television?

Why is sexual orientation always viewed as a moral issue, inevitably linked to sex and then promiscuity?

History repeating itself?

The comment referencing AIDS to being Gay reminded me of the ill-informed, offensive and "hate" campaigns that featured throughout the 1980s.

At this time, a series of national adverts were being run by the UK Government to make the public aware of HIV / AIDS.  However, the reactionary media, were more focused on linking AIDS to being Gay and being Gay to spreading disease - this is where AIDS got its first name - The Gay Plague.

Call to be vigilant

Has nothing changed?  Or is this just a one off example, of an ill-conceived, off the cuff comment, made to promote the virtues of a religious celibate life?

I would like to think that this is the case.

However, it does go to show that we must all be vigilant.  Public opinion and with it, government and legislative policy can be easily swayed by both positive and negative media portrayal.

"Stories in the media can have a positive effect in increasing people's awareness of HIV and what it means to live with HIV. However media reports about HIV are often stigmatising or inaccurate. Many stories contribute to a culture of blame about HIV transmission, focusing on so-called irresponsible sexual activity, use judgemental language and stereotype people living with HIV."

People who are either HIV positive or who have AIDS already face discrimination and stigma.

We must do all that we can to address this problem and to challenge those, particularly in the media, who would like to see us revisit recent history.

 The episode of The Big Questions is available on iPlayer by clicking here.  It is available for the next 7 days from today.  The Contribution in question was made approximately 28 minutes into the programme.  

I have made a complaint to the BBC.

If you wish to complain too, you can do so by following this link:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/