*** (3 stars)
“Appealingly presented”
It’s always a challenge to review the show that follows one that’s moved me deeply and/ or impressed me enormously – and that’s what I’m facing having watched Trouble, struggle, bubble and squeak immediately following my immersion in Orwell’s nightmare world of 1984. Had I seen something less overwhelming, my reaction to Victoria Melody’s show might well have been different…
It’s a good show, and in the normal run of things I would have been greatly enthused by her account of [spoiler alert] small-scale local resistance to bureaucracy and the ultimate triumph of people power. Add to this that one of the principal characters in the show is Gerard Winstanley, the leader of the Diggers, one of the movements in the 17th century which arose to challenge the established order, in the same way that the Quakers did, and I should have been fully engaged. Unlike the Quakers, the Diggers didn’t survive for very long – but at the time they radically challenged the idea that land belonged to private owners. During the turbulent times of the English civil war they took over common land and grew crops on it, declaring that they did this so that “all might eat and all might thrive”.
Victoria’s story begins in a village in Northumbria where she has come to join a historical re-enactment society. Inspired by a chance internet discovery of Gerard Winstanley, she wants to become part of one of the many groups of British hobbyists with a view to later on creating a show about them. She is somewhat taken aback to realise that she has joined a group of Royalists, but presses on regardless. Refusing to become a Wench [traditionally the only occupation open to women], she instead becomes a musketeer, though never fires a weapon. We are introduced to Hammer, leader of the group and passionate insister on historical accuracy,
Another strand in her story is her involvement with East Brighton, a deprived and neglected council estate on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Here we meet a number of other characters, all in some way opposed to authority. There’s Brian, who starts off wanting to feed a few local people and who ends up [with the help of other volunteers] feeds 400 people a day. Dave is a naturalist whose fascination with, and knowledge of, the species to be found on chalk grasslands, results in the discovery of a new species of beetle, the White Hawk Soldier Beetle and the complete obstruction of proposed developments on the land adjoining the estate. Lacey is almost single-handedly responsible for the growth and development of the Crew Club, a centre where local children and young people can feel safe while they get involved with any number of groups and activities.
Add to this mix a large patch of brambles beside the Crew Club which the local council refuses to allow to be made into a community garden, and you have a fascinating story of a historical re-enactment [involving some of the Northumbrian group she joined] which ends up with a [decidedly inauthentic historically] stand-off between the local community and the landowners [aka the council] with surprising results.
Since Mark Thomas directed this show, it’s not surprising that it’s a celebration of the power of ordinary people coming together to resist the powers that be and the continuation of the status quo. It’s appealingly presented, with bright colours and clever props. Victoria is good at engaging her audience and getting us involved in the action. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of good humour and, I would hope, a lot of inspiration to get involved in doing what we can to change small things, support the underdog, and subvert the establishment wherever possible.
An enjoyable hour, with a heartwarming message and some very good knitted vegetables.
Trouble, struggle, bubble and squeak, Above at Pleasance courtyard (Venue 33) for more information go to https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/trouble-struggle-bubble-and-squeak
ScotsGay Arts 