Showing @ C nova, Edinburgh until Mon 26 Aug @ 21:55
Xenophobia is growing in Europe. On this patch, UKIP is pulling more votes and pressuring the Tories (the ‘go home’ campaign a more flagrant example). As multiculturalism comes under fire, Bricks and Mortar Theatre have chosen to reflect on our chequered history of race relations in League of St George. Set in the East End as the post-war consensus finally crumbles, the play is essentially about youth and young manhood in hard economic times, told with broad accents and live music.
Though described as beginning in 1976 and named after a neo-fascist organisation founded in 1974, the piece hails proudly from the ’80s. Heavily influenced by This Is England, it would be a lie to say it has the same emotional punch. However, with charged performances of everything from Cock Sparrer to Billy Bragg, the cast’s energy carry the show. Moreover, the story draws interesting parallels between extreme changes in mind, body and identity during puberty, and a state in economic, political and social transition. The result is a cocktail of boisterous heterosexual masculinity and aggressive nationalism. An enjoyable performance which may not change the world, but has an important message nonetheless. And who knows; perhaps one day we’ll all grow up.