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Play that ‘humanises’ the 7/7 bombers has London run
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent25 Jun 2009
A play that empathises with the 7/7 bombers is coming to London after a string of theatres rejected it.
The show, called Pornography, follows a man from Leeds travelling to the capital to commit an act of terrorism on the Tube, and six Londoners caught up in the attack. The play, which seeks to “humanise” terrorists, is set in July 2005 on the backdrop of the real events. It is made up of seven “playlets”, interweaving characters' stories in the run-up to the bombings.
It was initially turned down for performance in London but Edinburgh's Traverse theatre mounted a co-production with Birmingham Rep last year and it received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival. Now the Tricycle theatre in Kilburn is planning a run, from 4 to 29 August.
Writer Simon Stephens, 38, of Mile End, and an Olivier award winner, said of his play: “When you start thinking of the terrorists as human beings, it allows you to think of the victims as human beings. It seemed the most dignified thing theatre could do.” Tricycle director Nicolas Kent said: “It was such a powerful piece. The only way to prevent things like this is to get inside the minds of these people.”
Reader views (10)
“When you start thinking of the terrorists as human beings, it allows you to think of the victims as human beings. It seemed the most dignified thing theatre could do.” Erm - think everyone considered the victims as human beings right from the off. I cannot see how this "play" (aka right-on liberal propaganda) will help the victims or their families or anyone else affected by 7/7 one iota. Just a typically misguided luvvie-type trying to shock. Appalling, this play should not be shown anywhere, certainly not in London
- Hb, Rochford, Essex, 26/06/2009 08:04
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The only humans on that day were the victims.....
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 26/06/2009 07:05
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Lord Longford was suckered in by Myra Hindley for decades, nothing more dangerous to the safety of the population than bleeding heart liberals.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset, 25/06/2009 17:09
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The Theater must be picketed!
- Vince, London, West London, 25/06/2009 15:44
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Adolph Hitler was a vegetarian and was kind to animals. I'm sure something similar could be said about the 7/7 bombers or any other vicious evil maniacs you care to name.
- Nigel, London, 25/06/2009 14:35
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Osamalot?
- Derek, London, 25/06/2009 14:34
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Simon Stephens, I don't need a play humanising terrorists to think that the victims of terrorism are victims. They just sadly are.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK, 25/06/2009 14:34
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No way. My wife was in the tube ahead of the one blown up at Liverpool st.
These terrorists are not human beings.
What about a play advocating the death penalty for them?
- Philip, Moscow, Russia, 25/06/2009 13:37
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I knew it would not take long.
What next? Statues of the "fantastic four"?
Streets named after Osama Bin Laden?
Maybe areas of London named after the local gangs?
Dont laugh it probably will happen.
- Russell, London, 25/06/2009 12:27
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God save us from bleeding heart liberals such as Simon Stephens. You don't empathise with or humanise terrorists who want to kill you. You kill them instead to stop them. Now what is so difficult about that?
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 25/06/2009 12:15
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