Corruption - a play about the reality of Britain's media
Rarely do I find myself overwhelmed by emotion, yet witnessing the play Corruption was an exception. This production, now a sell-out at Lincoln Centre Theatre in New York, reflects not only on the UK's phone hacking scandal but also casts me, my ex-wife, a close friend, and one of my children in an unsettlingly realistic light.
The play offers a breathless examination of power abuse, illustrating how UK institutions malfunctioned to let the bad people get away with industrial law-breaking.
The police, the criminal justice system, the government, parliament, the press, and public service broadcasters seemed to hold back. At the same time, journalists employed by Rupert Murdoch flouted the law with impunity.
The Unexpected Dimension of a Cancer Diagnosis
One of the most bewildering aspects of receiving a cancer diagnosis is that your initial thoughts seldom turn inwards towards yourself; instead, they veer towards your children. It takes but a moment to comprehend your altered place in the world, alongside the harrowing possibility of leaving your children parentless. In my situation, although the likelihood was minimal, with cancer, the leap from 0% to 1% feels infinitely vast.
Consider the case of Catherine. Falling in love with a future king, settling down to build a family, only to be struck by illness. Suddenly, every opinionated individual across the globe feels entitled to critique and comment.
Thus, I extend a gesture of solidarity towards the entire family. William and Catherine deserve applause for holding their children close and presenting a united front. Prince Harry and Meghan are equally commendable for their resilience against the brutish UK tabloid media. Much of the slander aimed at Harry ties back to a court case, a pivotal document at its heart.
Reading
"The Border" by Diarmaid Ferriter
Published in 2019, Diarmaid Ferriter's "The Border: The Legacy of a Century of Anglo-Irish Politics" explores the Irish Border's tumultuous history and significance amid Brexit negotiations. Ferriter reveals the border's complex inception in 1920, born from confusion and compromise, and its evolution from a militarised zone to its current role in the UK-EU separation. He highlights over 200 crossings and underlines its geopolitical complexity, contrasting with the EU's eastern borders.
The book objectively critiques British and Irish political manoeuvrings, detailing the inconsistencies and inflexibilities that have defined the border's history. Ferriter navigates through the Good Friday Agreement's impact, imagining a "frictionless" border and hints at future possibilities beyond sectarian divides.
With a lucid narrative, Ferriter discusses the border's transformation and potential future, reflecting on the socio-political shifts in Northern Ireland and the Republic. This is a must-read for those who want to see the relationship between Ireland and the UK prosper.
Why is this important? Well, here’s one stat that should make you think: Ireland is our sixth largest trading partner, with total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Ireland being £89.6 billion last year!
Watching
"The Servant" with Dirk Bogarde: A Swift, Spirited Review
Dive into the shadowy depths of "The Servant," a 1963 cinematic gem that masterfully explores the complexities of power and psychological manipulation. Dirk Bogarde is magnetic and menacing in this tale of twisting allegiances. Bogarde shines as Barrett, a servant who enters the life of the affluent but aimless Tony (a perfectly cast James Fox), signalling the onset of a psychological chess match. The plot involves an elaborate deception, with the lines between master and servant blurring until they're indistinguishable.
Joseph Losey's direction and Harold Pinter's script are as compelling for its storytelling as for its atmospheric tension. The film’s use of light and shadow encapsulates the shifting power dynamics, enveloping you at times if you watch it on a big telly.
Why It's a Must-Watch:
The Intrigue: The psychological battle at the film's heart is mesmerising.
The Acting: Bogarde's nuanced performance is a spectacle in itself.
The Craft: From direction to screenplay, every element is meticulously crafted.
The film gives you all this before you notice the nuanced allusions to homosexuality in the dialogue, which must have been hugely impactful in 1963 when the film was made - four years before homosexuality was legalised in the UK. Did I mention the opium allusions too? You have to watch it!
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Looks brilliant and important…given the subject material.
Can't wait to see it!