Politics at play

In the 70s and 80s, the west of Scotland wallowed in strident, powerful political message theatre from companies such as 7:84 and Wildcat.

But as political parties blurred the policy lines, voters became ambivalent, then apathetic - and gradually politics became as popular as an infection.

However, this week at Oran Mor, Theatre Uncut's new production is set to make audiences re-think.

Developed from 'an innovative process of collaboration between five of the UK's most exciting playwrights,' five interlinked short pieces that, when performed together, form a full-length play.

And the themes covered include Facebook, the Bedroom Tax, and Michael Gove's Education Bill.

Ruairi Conaghan, one of the performers of the mini-plays explains; "The Facebook idea, for example, is rather absurdist, featuring a female stand-up comedian, who's trying to tell really important stories about what's happening in the world.

"But they simply aren't funny. So Facebook people are saying to her we need stories about Cheryl Cole or sex, or even Jimmy Savile or Rolf Harris. Then we'll listen.

"It tells such a lot about the world we live in.

"Another play features a farce set around the Bedroom Tax and in this play I'm channelling a Michael Gove-type character."

Ruairi adds, grinning: "Perhaps because I've just put my child through the education system I feel like an actor who's just been cast as Hitler."

Not that the Secretary of State for Education has ever murdered anyone, or ordered a march on Poland.

But the comments serves to highlight how Theatre Uncut is 'an unapologetic political theatre company'.

"It was initially formed as a response to arts cuts," says Ruairi. "Director Hannah Price got together a group of well-known playwrights and asked them to write about the cuts.

"It was an incredible success and she formed a theatre company from this.

"Now, we are producing a show with five different writers, (Clara Brennan, Inua Ellams, Viv Franzmann, Andres Lustgarten and Hayley Squires) in an entertaining and informing way."

Ruairi accepts political theatre has been regarded in the past as preachy.

"In the old days of agit prop the political message was blasted into your face.

"But I think we're more subtle than that."

He adds: "I'm a man of the left, but I'd also be interested in performing five pieces by right wing writers, to test the reaction to that it.

"The problems is right wing writers don't exist to the same extent, they just aren't out there, because they already have the world they want.

"And that, for me, reinforces the notion we're doing the right thing."

Does he feel the apathy is beginning to dissolve?

"We'll find out when we put on this play," he says, smiling.

"But Glasgow certainly does have a great history of political theatre, with companies such as 7:84 and The Citizens really connecting with people and doing extraordinary work.

"And as a Celt, I was very fired up by the Referendum campaign and how my mind swayed by the level of debate.

"It's a really vibrant political time in Scotland right now."

But can political theatre really make people sit up and think?

"We've been talking about this in the company just last night," he says, "and we were wondering if perhaps we are just preaching to the converted.

"And that may be the case. But the converted need reminding, energised an the converted clarity of thought.

"We also talked about how the best place to put these plays on would be best put in Eton, or Harrow. It was a depressing thought, but relevant."

Ruairi maintains you can't turn your back on the world around you.

"Someone said to me recently 'Why did you march for peace in 2003 against the Iraq war? It didn't make a difference.' But here's why I did it. I have a child and I don't want my child to say to me in the future, 'Daddy, what did you do to try and stop that war?'

Ruairi's parents were amateur actors and he grew up in the world. He studied drama in Liverpool, became a musician for a while and then got back into the business.

In recent years, he's had great success in theatre and in TV with a range of TV dramas.

He acknowledges he's played lots of Irish roles, but has been been constrained by his County Derry background?

"The Irishness was limiting at one time, because it came with political connotations," he admits. "But it's less so these days. And I think my career has been helped by working in the likes of London, Glasgow and New York."

A lighter thought; doesn't he great frustrated by the fact so many of today's TV drama lead roles are hijacked by James Nesbitt? Surely there's room on TV for another Northern Irishman?

"Well we've also had people like Ciran Hinds and Adrian Dunbar doing really well," says Ruairi. "And Jimmy Nesbitt's great. He broke a few barriers down, because he didn't hide away from his accent."

The actor adds, smiling: "I was in Murphy's Law with Jimmy and the money I made helped me buy my first flat."

n Theatre Uncut's performers also include Faith Alabi, Ruth Gibson and Conor MacNeill