Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until Sat 19 Mar
While it may all be well and good promoting revolutions here, there and anywhere, at some point we must question what we’re replacing totalitarian dictatorships with. A system of ‘democracy’ which does little for people’s rights to speak freely and cares solely about promoting gluttonous wealth doesn’t seem that different. Alan Bissett’s new adaptation The Confidant explores conflict between two opposing definitions of revolution and whether it really is worth the human cost. After the discovery of a banned book, married couple Joe (Jon Morrison) and Carmen (Lori McLean) confront revelations of the revolutionary party’s methods of gaining power, forcing a stark examination of politics within, and outwith, their relationship.
Bissett’s script is compelling and provocative; the journey of the play fits concisely into the brief 50 minute slot without compromising content or delivery. His voice echoes clearly through the lines of the two characters. Setting the play in Joe and Carmen’s bedroom demonstrates the impact that national politics can have on the personal domestic unit. At the centre of their dispute is the line “you cannae let feelings interfere with politics”, one which will resonate with our increasing statistic driven society. We are a society so removed from politics, Joe has a point when he claims that “ordinary people wouldn’t understand” – not least because we are not encouraged to. So long as we continue to believe in our model democratic society, any revolution which could happen will be the re-branding of the same old system. Bissett makes it clear that compassion is the arrow of our moral compass, and should always be considered in politics; realising this will turn us in the direction of change.