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Theatre

London,

Fallujah

Description: Verbatim cross-discipline event written and directed by Jonathan Holmes, incorporating testimonies from a number of Iraqi civilians, military personnel from both the US and Britain, medical workers and politicians, which looks at the story of the siege of Fallujah.



Rating: 2 out of 5 Kieron Quirke's rating
Rating: 4 out of 5

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Dir: Jonathan Holmes.

Cast: Harriet Walter

The Atlantis Building, The Old Truman Brewery Brick Lane, E1 6RU

Phone: 0870162 0295

Transport: Tube: Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, Old Street, Shoreditch: BR: Liverpool Street Transport for London

Another pounding for the US in Iraq

Fallujah
Investigation: Chipo Chung and Imogen Stubbs portray the battle of Fallujah

By Kieron Quirke
4 May 2007


If you don't like the US, you might like Fallujah. Sometimes, this piece of documentary theatre seems more interested in fomenting anti-Americanism than in informing its audience. In the context, that is understandable.

Less tolerable are its theatrical deficiencies, which render a confusing situation still more baffling, and try the patience of even the most sympathetic on-looker.

The siege of Fallujah stands as a low-point among the many troughs of the Iraq war. Three years ago, occupying American troops fired on a crowd of civilians, killing 13. Large-scale rebellion followed. American troops pacified and recaptured the city at the cost of a large number of civilian lives.

The exact number and the extent to which deaths could have been avoided are still in dispute. Fallujah, compiled by Jonathan Holmes from witness statements collected by Dr Scilla Elworthy, doesn't help much.

Performed in promenade on a large warehouse floor cluttered with installation art, it is hard enough getting into position to see the actors, let alone judge their testimony. As Harriet Walter's journalist Sasha tears around the place and into the US generals, you hope she'll stop for a moment and get the basics of the conflict straight.

Denied factual context, the audience is at least in a mental state to reflect the uncertainty of war: bombarded with suffering without the chance to trace causes and effects.

Still you can't help but notice that all the American soldiers are idiots, and the few Arabs lovely and reasonable. US atrocities are relayed in secondhand reports, lovingly invested with emotion by Imogen Stubbs's aid worker.

US claims that insurgents were using civilians as human shields go uninvestigated.

And it's so earnest. Yes, we are talking war crimes here - but there are a few moments in the script clearly intended to provide humanity and light relief.

They stand no chance performed over Nitin Sawhney's constantly droning, portentous soundtrack.

And it's long - well over an hour and a half on your feet. No human rights breaches there - but why add more lumbar pain to the world for the sake of trendy staging?

Until 2 June. Information: 0870 162 0295. www.Fallujah.co.uk

Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

Reader views (2)

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It seems this person has never seen war and has been able to profit from their ideas.
People will do anything for money... thisnut case and their theatre production says just that.

- Army Mom, UK, 07/05/2007 22:50
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This was an outstanding experience with an explosive mix of installation art, politics and theatre. The "scene" when we were standing in the main hall and the guns started firing and lights flashing is one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Fantastic job deserving of a viewing from the creativity alone.

- Janet, London, 06/05/2007 09:26
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