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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
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Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Richard Eyre.
Cast: Leo Bill, Daon Broni, Anna Chancellor, James Fleet, Peter Forbes, Chuk Iwuji, Aicha Kossoko, Louis Mahoney, Cyril Nri, Isabel Pollen, Joy Richardson
Description: Matt Charman's political drama about a group of international observers in a West African country who try to oversee the first democratic election. Directed by Richard Eyre.
Trains: Tube/BR: Waterloo 
Phone: 0207452 3000
Website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
The watcher and the watched: General Okute (Cyril Nri) and Fiona (Anna Chancellor)
It’s astonishing that there haven’t been more plays on the vexed topics of post-colonial guilt, British (non) intervention in contemporary African politics and the inability of international agencies to act when they spot foul play. Credit, then, to Matt Charman, for moulding these issues into a gripping and powerful work, although far less credit for his final dramatic conflict resolution skills.
In a fictitious former colony in West Africa, a group of international observers work to ensure that the forthcoming presidential elections are those two buzzwords “free and fair”. Fiona Russell (Anna Chancellor), the frazzled deputy chief who has been unfairly overlooked for the top job, supervises efforts on the ground.
When the President unexpectedly fails to secure a majority in the first round of polling, Fiona oversteps the remit of her job to embark upon a huge voter registration drive, to the increasing disquiet of her local translator (Chuk Iwuji).
The parallels with the wretched situation in last year’s Zimbabwean elections, with escalating government intimidation of the opposition, are unmissable. For most of the running time, Charman offers a compelling electoral quasi-thriller but eventually deviates oddly into an arid end-justifying-the-means debate. I objected to his hand-wringing liberal scruples when events take a surprising turn; or rather, I could have better tolerated them if the scenario he optimistically envisages had been the case in Zimbabwe.
Richard Eyre directs with his customary fluidity and Rob Howell’s elegant design uses hanging African matting to mark out the stage. It’s a marvellous central turn from the increasingly frenetic Chancellor, whose tensed shoulders and twitchy eyes suggest a woman who has toiled fruitlessly in high-pressure situations for too long. Charman’s warning is clear: the observers themselves must be observed.
Until 8 July (020 7452 3000, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
