Low Down
Failed States is a musical by Andrew Taylor and Desmond O'Connor. A cast of nine tell, through the medium of a musical, the story of an American Citizen, wrongfully arrested and interrogated. A bold musical about human rights.
Review
The starting point of this musical from 1215 Productions is anti-terrorism legislation. The setting is London, around the time of "7/7". What unfolds is an interpretation of the human rights issues that arise from the laws that allow people to be imprisoned and interrogated without access to legal representation (and much worse). The revelations are educational and alarming. The torture scene and song is done brilliantly.
There's some effective alienation in this piece as well. We're made to feel uncomfortable; it's clear there's a lot we don't know, and we ought to get ourselves acquainted with the Law, in case the nightmare of the central character happens to us as well.
Does it work as theatre? Mostly yes. The libretto is clever, witty, humorous, but often too-wordy and fast to be fully heard in the venue. There's a mix of styles in the composition. Sometimes the acting is very naturalistic, at other times (especially the American C.I.A agent) a bit stereotyped. The music has a huge heart, tells the central story well. The music ranges is style and settles at different times on fast-paced, wordy song that owes much to Gilbert and Sullivan and even Lionel Bart. At other times we're in "Les Mis" territory, but often there is real originality (as in the already mentioned "torture" song). It's a real mix, but it is all done in a very accomplished manner. All of these people have huge talent.
The whole cast are impressive in terms of dramatic performance. The story that unfolds is NOT stereotyped, it's engaging, and the impact of the detention on the central characters is subtle.
Sometimes the educational message is delivered in too obvious a way and appears preachy and one-sided. This is, of course, a musical with a message, and that message. The Americans are duly demonised, and British legislation comes under critical scrunity.
But as theatre it mostly works. It's an enjoyable, educational and challenging show, that's well worth seeing.
Reviewed by PL 24th August 2007
