Ann Mossop, Head of Public Programs, on DV8’s World Premiere
August 26, 2011 3 Comments
Run, don’t walk, to see DV8 Physical Theatre, playing until Sunday only.
DV8’s extraordinary show Can we talk about this? is the most interesting discussion of multiculturalism, racism and political correctness that you will ever see. Accessible, witty, and hard hitting, in a brilliant blend of text and movement, it dramatises and brings to life a crucial political issue. Like in David Hare’s verbatim theatre piece Stuff Happens, performance illuminates complex political events with key people thinkers, politicians, activists – brought to life on stage by amazing performers. Built around a series of incidents in the culture wars in Britain and Europe around multiculturalism and political correctness, from the Satanic Verses to the film Submission the words of people like Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Theo Van Gogh as well as a host of British politicians leap off the stage to show, as well as tell, a confronting truth. If fundamental freedom of speech, human rights and equality are not compatible with ‘multiculturalism’ as it currently plays out in Britain, it is ‘multiculturalism’ that needs to change.
Saw this show last night and I’m still reeling. From the very first moment I was left feeling dislocated and for 90 minutes there was no let up. By the end I felt angry and ashamed and indignant, with so many questions that may not have answers. This is a really challenging production.
Very confronting. I also saw the show last night and feel somehow viscerally altered by it. The discussion keeps deepening. This is a very brave show. And the performers were almost unbelievably adept. They WERE the argument
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