Thanks Geraldine for reminding us about the blessed Blunkett's bill - which
is the relevant context. Whatever the bill will actually say, floating a
bill to protect religion has encouraged the idea that people who feel their
religion has been insulted will have the law behind them. It's an
encouragement to fundamentalisms of all kinds - and a recipe for all kinds
of strife.
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Geraldine Monk [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday 23 December 2004 0:04 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Behzti theatre protest
Yes that's my understanding of it David. That the playwright herself has
requested a withdrawal due to murder threats and violence. The lack of
outrage from M.P's and other public figures is outrageous in itself.
I think the real reason for the protests is a fear that her play may
encouraged abuse victims to speak up. Religion has nothing or very little to
do with it. The worrying thing is this is before that bill Blunkett had up
his sleeve about inciting religious hatred hasn't even come in. Well - I
hate religions and nothing but religions themselves has incited me to hate
them. So maybe we should lock up all religious leaders for inciting hatred
of their own religions!!!
Must dash my dears,
All the very best of midwinter madness to all of you,
Enjoy the snow,
Geraldine
----- Original Message -----
From: "david.bircumshaw" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 11:18 PM
Subject: Re: Behzti theatre protest
> Hi Rupert
>
> I've been trying to track Neil Foster's statements myself, the latest seem
> to be that he withdrew the production offer at the
> request of the playwright, who had received further death threats if
> anything he proposed happened, apparently. What I understand
> was that the idea wasn't a full production of the play but a read-through
> on stage. I am of course not directly connected with any
> of this so my statements might be innaccurate. Meantime, although I
> haven't been back to the place for six years, I do very
> emotional about stuff like this happening in my dear dirty scruffy stupid
> Brummagem, it was where I grew up, and its stamped on me
> for life, you should hear my accent!
>
> Best
>
> Dave
>
>
> David Bircumshaw
>
> Spectare's Web, A Chide's Alphabet
> & Painting Without Numbers
>
> http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.bircumshaw/
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "mallin1" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 6:24 PM
> Subject: Re: Behzti theatre protest
>
>
> Dear Patrick, Dave and Alison
>
> A complexity indeed re the banning of 'Behzti.' Once again, tomorrow's BBC
> Radio 4 'Woman's Hour' will alone provide a forum on the issue through a
> discussion with Sikh and Asian women about the issues raised by the play
> and
> its censorship. Meanwhile, two things have happened overnight. One self
> appointed 'defender' of the play, Neil Foster, who was all over the media
> attacking the Birmingham Rep for taking off the play - then, having
> offered
> an
> alternative venue in Birmingham, has suddenly withdrawn the offer. Things
> become complicated if one doesn't quite grasp the idea of 'respect' all
> ways
> round.
>
> Neil Foster is right on one particular: the government's junior minister
> was
> not supportive of the playwright! That is, art must be 'community art,' in
> the worst sense. In the meantime, the High Catholic Bishop of all England
> has suggested that playwrights should impose "self-censorship" on
> themselves - taking us way back into the 'confessional' box the 20th
> Century
> wonderfully opened.
>
> What worries me more, is that the likes of Max Stafford-Clark, who
> produced
> the late Jim Allen's 'Perdition' at the Royal Court, has offered nothing
> to
> defend 'Behzti.' However, one who really seems to have given support in
> his
> wide ranging understanding is David Edgar.
>
> Alison, it surely is Sarah Kane's 'Blasted' revisited. It is very much a
> gender issue -- and so much more: the invisibilty of women in a near
> invisible religion/race; a generational issue between older immigrant
> Sikhs
> and their more international offspring; government using the institutions
> of
> faith to further divide people; and the US-UK neo-con drive to 'dum down'
> art.
>
> This is not just a theatre issue. The substance is an attack on ideas, on
> poetry. The playwright is in hiding fearing for her life. It is a crime
> that
> she has been silenced. Without her voice, we're all losers.
>
> Take care, Rupert
>
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