Follow My Leader

Synopsis

The two self-appointed heroes of democracy and Christianity congratulate themselves on ridding the world of dictatorship. Meanwhile, their war activates a global clash of cultures waged with words of mass destruction and smoking guns. This hilarious savage and thought-provoking satire follows the development of the so-called war on terror from 9/11 right up to the present day. Along the way, Follow My Leader asks awkward questions about Britain's role as faithful poodle of the United States.

Our Review:

27 April 2004

The Madness of George Dubya may have got there first in not only satirising but also setting to music the Bush-Blair ‘war on terror’ in Iraq, but Alastair Beaton shows just how much better it can be done.

Rather than cannibalising Stanley Kubrick or hiding behind thinly fictionalised caricatures, in Follow My Leader, Beaton sends up real figures and recounts actual events. Occasionally, he misfires, but when his humour hits its target, the effect is devastating.

Mark Clements’ high-quality production – trimmed and toned since its Birmingham premiere – also saves the show from any chance of am-dram style school revue. The well-drilled ensemble - featuring Nicola Hughes in particularly fine voice and Peter Polycarpou in an almost endless series of spot-on comic cameos – parades with multi-tasking assurance around Philip Witcomb’s colourful stars-and-stripes stage.

But for all the razzle-dazzle around him, it’s [Ja...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.40.3.65) - 12 May 2004:

I thought this was excellent - every member of the cast was incredibly talented and the story line so funny. It also makes you think a bit more deeply about the current state of the world. ...

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