You enter the theatre with a pint in hand to find four sets: the band’s platform, a living room, a chapel and the all too familiar English pub.
The audience are promised part play, part gig, part installation – and the team certainly delivered!
In his usual laid back and easy manner, Bragg guides you to each performance area as they light up and the audience follows like moths to a flame. The audience passes through, along and around each set. The sheer proximity of the action keeps us engaged to the point of seemingly tangible involvement, enhanced by a superb performance from the cast.
The death of a father has brought his sons back together. John returns from America to find his brother Jack has been encouraged by his friend Tony to stand as a candidate for the BNP. There is a clash of ideologies: do you preserve the English tradition of pies at Ned’s café or do you embrace the new Argos that has replaced it?
On Theatre with Mick Gordon and director Christopher Haydon, have created a straight forward, black and white story: one where an open minded person will embrace all that society has to offer and the blinkered will make rash decisions without considering the consequences. As Jack’s son George puts it: the BNP’s ideas are much too “certain”.
This is a play full of sweat, spitting and in keeping with the English - a good old punch up. Certainly not one for the faint hearted! Pressure Drop is an interpretation of how present day society is perceived by particular groups or individuals – you can either adapt and embrace change or fight against it.
For the die-hard Bragg fans, he consolidates the play with the songs: 'All You Fascists', 'Same Again' and 'There Will Be A Reckoning' among others.
Distressing, tender and hard-hitting: Bragg and Gordon have produced something that will stay with the audience well after the election results have been counted.
5 stars
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