You can't help getting exited when approaching the Royal Court. Despite the only other play I saw there was somewhat of a car crash, there is an energy there of revolution and of a theatre trying to seriously change something. If you have seen any of their micro-plays in collaboration with the Guardian, you will be able to see this. Their political play is especially powerful. This play supports this revolution. In a set up which could be quite tedious (a local council setting a budget. What Fun!), Jack Thorpe's wit and enthusiasm bursts through and, with support from a wonderful cast, gives the play life. It gives an insight into local politics which, in turn, helps us appreciate the work all politicians have to do. It is about the value of trying to do the right thing, even when people disagree with your opinion. When reading Quentin Lett's one star review of the play in the Daily Mail, I thought that this play would be completely liberal and condemning of the conservatives and it is in a way. However, this play leaps to defend all politicians and is complimentary of the Conservative's economic policies which helped us out of the hell- hole which we were in and, whilst it still condemns the handling of budget cuts to different councils, it is far more open minded than Letts gives it credit for. It also confronts how hypocritical the media and general public are, criticizing them for struggling to form the budget then lampooning them when they do suggest where the cuts can be made. The set helps to tell its audience how politics isn't the glamour or style of the UN or Westminster but is made by real people in local, run down places. The play is hopeful and, in my opinion, has potential to be a modern classic.
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