A Day at the Racists – Finborough Theatre, London

Writer: Anders Lustgarten

Director: Ryan McBryde

Reviewer: Deborah Klayman

The Public Reviews Rating:

Timely, controversial and thought-provoking, Anders Lustgarten’s new play is a must-see. Set in the same Barking constituency that Nick Griffin is to stand for in the next General Election, ‘A Day At The Racists’ explores and addresses the rise of the BNP and the reasons for it – the uncomfortable reality that everyday people are being drawn to the party, betrayed and abandoned by Labour and taken in by a clever rebranding campaign.

Pete Case is one such everyman: previously a trade unionist and Labour Party organiser for the local car factories, he’s now struggling to get by as a painter and decorator with his son, Mark sleeping on his sofa because he can’t get himself and his daughter on the housing list. Disillusioned and frustrated, Pete then meets Gina, a young, passionate mixed race politician who seems to share his beliefs – which would be okay with him if she wasn’t standing as a BNP candidate!

Torn between his existing morals and his growing feelings of rage and despair, Pete is drawn into Gina’s world and has to struggle with his joy at his new found sense of purpose and his shame at working for a party he still associates with racism.

Rogue State Theatre Company’s production pulls no punches, and is not only contentious but also moving, shocking and very funny at different points. It is extremely well written, with the opening expertly illustrating Pete’s feeling of alienation by showing a bus journey where he is the only English speaker, accompanied by hilarious translations.

The characters have real depth, and you are sympathetic to the situation that each of the main characters are in, which makes it far more interesting than a play full of stereotypes and caricatures. Gina shows an entirely new and perplexing side to the BNP, and Thusitha Jayasundera plays her with intensity and integrity, making her 100% believable despite the obvious conflicts of her heritage with the BNP’s modus operandi. Sam Swainsbury is superb as Mark, with an ability to light up the stage and engage the audience with his ‘cheeky chappie’ persona, but also to deliver the emotion-filled scenes in the second half with just as much sincerity.

It is rare to see a truly engaging piece of political theatre that steers clear of tub-thumping, but this is it. With some re-blocking, a better space to play in, and tightening up on cues this will be a five star show, so it will be a terrible shame if it doesn’t transfer after its initial run at the Finborough. There are possibly too many cast members, certainly for such an intimate space, and I could have done without the repetitive singing that served only to cover scene changes, but this is a show that will only get better, and you’ll kick yourself if you miss it.