Edinburgh Fringe 2024
This Side of The House
Fishy Business
Genre: New Writing, Political, Theatre
Venue: theSpace Triplex
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Cast your mind back to the 1980s. We’re at the University of Cambridge, where they’re about to vote in the next president of the Union, otherwise known as the apprenticeship for Number Ten. Downing Street, that is. And, in what’s an excruciating hour of pulsating theatre, the dark side of all participating – candidates and related acolytes – comes under the spotlight.
Review
Cast your mind back (if you’re old enough) to the 1980s. We’re at the University of Cambridge, where voting will shortly take place for the next president of the Union, otherwise known as the apprenticeship for Number Ten. Downing Street.
Written back in 1987 and based on true events (allegedly), Lance Anisfeld’s debut play is directed and produced here by his daughter Annabel, who also takes one of the leading roles. No pressure then.
The focus in on the presidential election campaign, where Geoffrey Cormick is up against his bete noire, Gideon Mellor, with the gloves off in a race that makes our current political shenanigans look like a vicar’s tea party.
In what is an excruciating hour of pulsating theatre, the dark side within relationships comes under the spotlight. Moral and ethical dilemmas abound and there’s a plethora of liars, cheats, the odd bit of posh totty, and occasional dimwit (think Harry Enfield’s “Tim, nice but dim”). Throw in a couple of lovers and even the odd loyal friend, mix it with a few bottles of politically incorrect humour and language and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a story that can only end in tears.
The lights go up on the tight thrust stage of the cellar in theSpace’s Triplex venue with a debate in full swing, erudite arguments being bandied back and forth in an atmosphere redolent of the House of Commons, hardly surprising given that Oxbridge societies are the training ground for the braying brigade that largely inhabits our Parliament. Roars of approval and disapproval come from all around the audience, our director having had the bright idea to create an early bit of atmosphere. Great fun to join in with, too.
The action unfolds as we flit between debating chambers and college rooms, giving the audience a chance to see the presidential candidates in action and the backstories behind them and their acolytes. But as the race intensifies, so the plot thickens with a central ethical/moral dilemma testing those on both sides of the election, with the denouement revealing a twist that even political buffties like myself didn’t really see coming.
This was a very brave, daring even, piece of theatre to bring to a 21st century arts festival. Not because it’s breaking new theatrical ground or showcasing an entirely new form of story or storytelling. It’s because of the language and attitudes it puts on display, akin to holding up a mirror to anyone in their mid-fifties and beyond and saying “hey, this is your society forty years ago”, with its endemic discrimination, phobias, stereotypes and attitudes towards anyone who dared to be different. Or what it’s like to be a member of the Metropolitan Police force today, perhaps.
It must have been quite a challenge to direct, never mind act in this, but the young Exeter University based cast do an excellent job in delivering a lexicon that I imagine they found repulsive (but is, I should stress, of its time) with such complete conviction.
Hats off then to the eight strong cast, with a particular nod in the direction of the splendidly odious Nathan Golo as Gideon Mellor and his almost likeable oppo Sam Fulton as Geoffrey Cormick. Rebecca Fenner (as Daniella Perkin) and Annabel Anisfeld (as Gillian Perry) were entirely believable as the (to use the language of the time) posh totty and a wonderfully crafted caricature that reeked of a certain tall, gangly, Eton educated former member of Parliament now gracing the airwaves of GB TV was provided by the splendid Tom Hilton as Rupert Dake-Studley.
Staging was tight – it had to be – and scene changes swift and efficient. Props were simple and effective and the lighting and sound helped maintain the often febrile atmosphere.
This Side of the House is getting quite full houses, and deservedly so as it’s a well scripted, cleverly staged and consummately acted piece of theatre that makes you think whilst laughing – always a good sign. It comes thoroughly recommended, but do think carefully about attending if that language of its time might offend.
