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Playing With Fire

a new play by David Edgar

We used to be a place'd sometimes get to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Now, I mean like for a laugh like, we pick up the phone and say “Good evening, Beirut Hilton”.

When the District Council of Wyverdale fails to satisfy a government audit, New Labour high-flyer Alex is sent north from London to formulate a robust recovery plan. But websites, faith festivals and council leaflets in Bengali seem beside the point to the Labour old guard, struggling to provide the basics to an alienated and divided electorate.

What begins as a metro-versus-retro comedy of misunderstanding soon becomes a chilling drama about multicultural Britain. Racial tensions soar and good intentions have fatal consequences.

David Edgar's plays include Albert Speer at the National, and Destiny and Pentecost for the RSC.

Cast credits:

Bob Stanley / Barry Ings / The Bishop : Geoffrey Beevers

Joan Cummings / Transcriber / Marjory : Kate Best

Riaz Rafique : Paul Bhattacharjee

The Mayor (Maureen Teale) / Jill Watts : Susan Brown

Arthur Barraclough : Trevor Cooper

Fazhul / Chauffeur : Rudi Dharmalingam

Alex Clifton : Emma Fielding

Michael Farrell : Nick Fletcher

Frank Wilkins : Oliver Ford Davies

Joe McIntyre / Policeman / Usher : Colin Haigh

Ranjit Singh Khera / Kurshid Hafiz : Ranjit Krishnamma

Derek Morley : Jonathan McGuinness

Anwar Hafiz : Aaron Neil

Yusuf Iqbal : Bhasker Patel

Stephen Croft : Alistair Petrie

Chloe / Bronwen / Shaz : Helen Rutter

Paula / Shirley / Sue Braithwaite : Rebekah Staton

Jack Ross : Ewan Stewart

Michele Purdy / Mrs Hatchard : Caroline Strong

George Aldred : David Troughton

Superindendent Ricks / Rvd Tim Laundimer / Roger Priestman : Tony Turner

Les Slater / Sgt Donald Baxter / Brad : Deka Walmsley

Leena Harvey Wells / Mrs Chowdury : Sameena Zehra

Production credits:

Director: Michael Attenborough

Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson

Photo (Oliver Ford Davies, David Troughton, Emma Fielding and Paul Battacharjee) by Hugo Glendinning

Playing With Fire finished on: 22 October 2005

Image Playing with Fire

Olivier Theatre

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