The New Real: David Edgar, RSC, The Other Place, Stratford Upon Avon. Runs until 02 November 2024, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: Roderick Dungate.

Photo Credit: Ikin Yum.

The New Real: David Edgar

RSC, The Other Place

Stratford Upon Avon

Runs till 02 November 2024

Running time 2 hours and 40 minutes

Review: Roderick Dungate, of AD Performance 19 October 2024

4☆☆☆☆

“An important work exploring complex current issues.”

The New Real explores the principles underpinning elections, electioneering and the status of truth – guiding light or victim. I would go as far as to say David Edgar is not one of the UK’s leading political playwrights but the UK’s leading political playwright. Edgar is a deep thinker about current political issues and, making little concession to the present desire for immediate satisfaction, wrights plays which are as complex as the issues he explores. Like Shaw his plays are full of debates; if you do not like debate perhaps his plays are not for you. If you do, then Edgar’s work is a rich joy.

The New Real is set in a former Eastern Block country struggling to establish functional democracy. There is to be an election and a shift from autocracy to democracy is in the offing. A range of strategist are brought in from abroad (US and UK) to work towards the New Real. Though I hesitate to use this expression, as we see before us the use of focus groups, demographic stats, video (true or fake) we begin to see the New Real is something of a moveable feast.

To set the play in an unspecified country is clever, the work towards elections and re-elections, are equally true to the US and the UK – and many other countries we can readily identify.

It may be presumptuous of me to suggest that most of the RSC audiences for this play will come from the ‘liberal left;’ but Edgar, skilfully does not let us off the hook. We are brought to empathise with the view of the ‘Nostalgic Rust Belt Communities’ (aka red wall) who believe ‘it’s not my country anymore.’ And the assumption they are all, by default, racist, homophobic and the like is challenged.

The arguments are brilliantly explored by this formidable team of committed actors. Particularly strong are Rachel (Martina Laird) the US strategist, Caro, from Rotherham (Jodie McNee), the focus group interpreter, and Larry, another US strategist (Lloyd Owen) for sale to the highest bidder. There are inspired moments, focus group material around the Eurovision Song Contest winner comes immediately to mind.

But there are two issues that weaken this production. The first is the lack of clarity of dialogue; at first, I thought it was the variety of accents, but in the second half, where all is as clear as a bell, it is clear that the first half is just too fast. Director, Holly Race Roughan, eager to keep the pace up has stopped listening to what is in front of her. Also, there is no clear protagonist within the play; an identifiable protagonist would draw us more into the play and hence into the debate.

I, as is clear above, review at an Audio Described performance. I missed some important information, particularly shifts in time, which come up as visual messages. AD announces this information, but it is frequently drowned out with music or effects. The RSC Describers are hugely skilled, and it strikes me the RSC creative team needs to make greater efforts to support them in their important work. (An interview with RSC Audio Describers is available (DJ put in link appropriates.)

Notwithstanding the issues raised above this is an important play, sensitively and intelligently executed. The RSC is carrying out vital national work in making plays such as The New Real available to us.

Cast

Daon Broni – Kenneth Helms

Martina Laird – Rachel Moss

Lloyd Owen – Jarry Yeates

Patrycja Kujawska – Liudmilla Bezbrodko

Jodi Mc Nee – Caro Wheeler

Roderick Hill – Petr Lutsevic

Siggy Heath – Oleg Sogolyev

Edyta Budnik – Natalia Bezbrodko

Sergo Vares – Leonid Zhudov

Daon Broni - Justin

Creatives

Director – Holly Race Rougham

Sets and Costumes – Alex Lowde

Lighting – Joshie Harriette

Composer – Monika Dalach Sayers

Sound Designer – Max Perryment

Movement Director – Michela Meazza

Video Designer – Luke Halls