Synopsis In the light of the current situation around the world - where a culture of fear and reprisal is coming commonplace, where terrorism and the war on terror are the most regular news items - Ryan Craig's comic and hard-hitting play offers a timely and sharp reminder that theatre can and must address the most important issues of the day. What We Did to Weinstein is about a clash of cultures, of religions, of lifestyles, of ideals and of historical perspectives. Fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, lovers and old friends are polarised by the political affairs of the world. Their lives are profoundly and personally altered by the events happening around the world. These are characters in real cities: London, Jerusalem and Ramallah, who are living on the front line of the war on terror. They are characters who are trying to live their lives in the shadow of this war and who represent every possible faction within that war.
Ryan Craig's new play is nothing if not topical. Although neither 9/11 nor the Iraq war are mentioned specifically, and 7/7 only once indirectly, Craig conveys with dramatic intensity and a surprising amount of humour current religious and cultural conflicts in our uncertain world of terrorism and war on terror.
The play begins with Josh, a young British Jew who has joined the Israeli army, being interrogated by an officer about what he did to a Palestinian terrorist suspect. As we move back and forth in time, and between West London and the West Bank, we gradually find out what happened and why.
The 'backstory' involves Josh's love/hate relationship with his liberal writer father Max, and his failed affair with Sara, a Jewish journalist critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, who is regarded as a traitor by her father Sam, Max's agent. Skilfully interwoven with their story are British Pakistani Tariq, an Islamic fundamentalist, and his Westernised sister Yasmin, plus a white racist yob, Brian.
Craig uses generational and family divides to explore diverse notions of ethnicity and identity in our multicultural society. He also shows how idealism can lead to extremism and how pragmatism can entail hypocrisy. Although somewhat schematic, the play avoids simplification of the issues by making real the dilemmas the characters feel. This is no cerebral exercise but full-blooded drama interspersed with some genuinely funny moments which relieve the tension.
Much credit for this should go to Tim Supple's fluid and streamlined direction, making the scenes dovetail and the themes interconnect. Josh Cohen is highly convincing as the angry and confused Josh, trying to work out who he is and his place in the world. There is a great vaudevillian double act between Harry Towb's Max and Leonard Fenton's Sam, while Miranda Pleasence strongly conveys Sara's personal and political dissatisfaction. This is truly compelling theatre.
Having never been to this venue before I didn't really know what to expect. A superlative production of a really fascinating new play - far better than anything I've seen in the West End recently. Craig manages to skilfully combine humour and pathos throughout. He's surely a talent to watch. - 195.54.229.238)
10 Oct 05
I agree with the reviewer who said it was one of the best things they'd seen for ages. I can't believe that myself and my aunt were watching the same play as Fred. We thought the acting was more than acceptable and the characters totally credible and sympathetic. This is a great evening in the theatre. - 195.54.229.238)
07 Oct 05
Tries to cram too many ideas into one play and makes chracters mere streotypes rather than recognisable people. The acting is acceptable. - 80.177.231.164)
05 Oct 05
Best thing I have seen in the theatre in London in a long time - Blow's Mike Leigh's play out of the water! - 82.45.190.207)
Whatsonstage.com - Discount London theatre tickets, theatre news and reviews, Theatre videos, Theatre discussion, National Theatre Listings. Covering London's West End, all of Theatreland and all UK theatre. The best
for London Theatre Ticket Discounts.
