Applauding Play’s The Thing

Published Tuesday 22 August 2006 at 10:45

Frankly I was bewildered to read Dan James’ letter (Stage Talk, August 10, page 8) and the disdain it poured on Sonia Friedman’s project The Play’s The Thing, which I think was a brave and admirable venture. Apart from Mr James’ comment that perhaps it would have been advantageous for Ms Friedman to have approached new writing theatres such as the Royal Court to help with her search for a new playwright, I was hard pushed to understand where on earth he was coming from.

To lump The Play’s The Thing in the reality TV bracket along with The X Factor is simply ludicrous. Unlike all of these high profile song and dance reality TV shows, I am glad to say The Play’s The Thing had nothing whatsoever to do with the viewing public when it came to choosing the winner and instead left it to the professionals, for which I think it should be applauded, regardless of whether the panel were unanimous or not.

Indeed, the winning play had in fact already been chosen when the modest four-part series was broadcast. This was more of a documentary marking the process that had been taken than it was reality TV in the popular sense of the term. Why, I ask myself, is Mr James not complaining about How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? which, despite the positive elements that have been negotiated by Equity, is still true reality TV meddling in a profession for which hundreds of people spend a lot of time and money training.

My bewilderment turning to annoyance as I write this, I must finish before I write a whole page but must add that I certainly do not see what Ms Friedman should have to “apologise for”, nor what “damage” may have been done to the West End or new and established playwrights. I not only saw the play but also sat in on a Q&A session afterwards in which people praised the series for having given them a glimpse into the world of theatre and for showing how much hard work goes into it, something which is surely pleasing to hear for all of us who are theatre professionals.

Lindesay Mace

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