Low Down

A detailed and uncompromisingly intellectual live docudrama with commentary on the life and times of Adam Smith, the father of modern Economics.

 

Review

This uncategorizable piece, a mix of narrating, commentary and  dramatic scenes, is one the most unusual and interesting events you could wish  to see on the Fringe.  Firstly, it is playing in the St Marks Artspace, a handsome Unitarian Church in its non Festival life, giving the whole an almost religious feel.  Adding to that impression was a large, tending toward the elderly congregation-sorry-audience.  Completing the play- as- service atmosphere was a cast part reading, part playing their parts, all of wildly differing abilities. 

These were The Radicals.  My heart sank at the start; what had I let myself in for?  Well, as it turns out, a bit of a treat.  What followed was a naively direct, passionate yet uncompromisingly intellectual investigation of the life, ideas and achievements of Adam Smith, and his relevance in the modern world, penned with skill by the commentator, Wally Shaw.  If you do go, a healthy interest in the history of both economics and philosophy will stand you in good stead, as will a strong coffee, as you will need all your wits about you if you are to follow the debates between Smith and David Hume (special mention must go to Cameron Pirie and Kevin O’Donnell for those roles).  

What emerges is a picture of Smith quite at odds with the poster boy for far right “greed is good and the market knows best” thinking we associate with him today.  It is clear he was a deeply moral and compassionate man, who saw it as the philosophical duty of the market to provide for peoples needs, not greedy excesses; that workers should be valued and paid well, not exploited, and that, centrally, this market should be run, alongside government, based on the principles of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.  

It’s a fascinating and detailed bit of writing and a great summation of a noble period in the history of ideas.  This piece deserves an audience, and it seems that those with an interest have begun to find it.

Reviewed by DM 3rd August 2008

Website :

http://www.livingphilosophy.org.uk