Hug a Hoody!!! - the musical
There are a great many forgettable old movies, when, at some point in the proceedings a toothy bimbo will propose that the solution to their improbable predicament is to put on a show. This idea will be enthusiastically received by all and sundry until some sceptic will ask: 'where are we going to do this?''Why, let's do the show right here,' comes the response, and suddenly the barn/railway station/mortuary will transform into a functional theatre, with painted cloths and colourful lighting as part of the package. This cretinous optimism has found a new home in the dubious world of issue based 'yoof' theatre.
Today I went to talk to a theatre company about doing a lighting design for them, unfortunately they hadn't put any information about the production on the listing, or I would have chosen to continue my mundane task of putting things into boxes. My heart sank when I discovered that my meeting was being held in a youth/drug rehab centre, a sterile environment distinguishable instantly by the vast number of printed notices on every available flat surface. My interview panel consisted of the producer (a podgy middle-aged, hand-knitted beardy). and three yoof. The director was the oldest, was in his early twenties, his bloodshot eyes revealing his liking for the weed, the other two (the author and someone whose function was never explained) were in their mid to late teens. What united this trio was a complete lack of knowledge about what is involved in putting on a show, they weren't able to remember what they were interviewing me about, and their collective attention span was slightly superior to that of a goldfish. Indeed for a moment there I thought I was back working with an opera director again.
They did have a desperate enthusiasm for their project, even though they weren't very sure what it was about. Nor did they know anything about their venue: the local town hall. They claimed a vast amount of support form local and community based organisations, including, they announced proudly, the local police. The cynical part of me (surely not!), immediately thought, the feds are probably delighted, they'll think they know where some of their regular clients are for several days at a time. This is a flawed theory, I did a ghastly d-day celebratory show a few years back, and five eleven year olds were arrested for trying to steal cars during the interval. I can't quite bring myself to believe that there is much of an audience for a show about how hard it is to grow up in Fulham, there's only so much teenage introspection that a person can stand; and I think I've already paid my dues on that score.
While I'm sure that David Cameron would thoroughly approve, and might even be persuaded to turn up, after all there's a bye-election pending, and if he does, then I wish him joy. As for me, to quote Sam Goldwyn, you can include me out.
posted by Lampy @ 7/06/2007 07:54:00 pm
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