'A touching play' is Cristina Lago's review of Tony's Last Tape now showing at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham until March 20...
OUR VERDICT
A month ago, Tony Benn’s archive was acquired by the British Library through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, allowing the ex-parliamentarian’s family to settle an inheritance tax bill of £210,000.
The vast amount of files are made up of thousands of documents, videos and memorabilia, including two of his iconic pipes and the pair of gold-plated scissors he used at the unveiling of the Concorde while holding the post of aviation minister.
The archive also contains 8,000 hours worth of tape recordings - the famous Tony Benn diaries. Benn began dictating a summary of daily political events in 1966 when he served as a minister in Harold Wilson’s government.
Tony’s Last Tape is a poignant account of the veteran socialist last days at home, retired from politics “to spend more time on politics”, physically frail but still a passionate campaigner with an unshaken belief in a fairer society. Based on his actual published diaries, this one-man show recounts influential events in Benn’s political career and his personal life.
Dressed in a checked flannel robe and a ‘Say No Poll Tax 1381’ t-shirt, drinking tea from a huge HP sauce promotional mug, Philip Bretherton plays the role of the relic and “national treasure” Benn he became in his elderly years, very far from the days when he was deemed “the most dangerous man in Britain”.
Physically frail but still full of determination, the play recalls fond memories about his wife Caroline and the children, conversations with Jim Callaghan, how he lost the Labour leadership challenge to Denis Healey by a minimal margin… Anecdotes in his diaries turned chapters in British history books.
Andy Barrett imagines a very human Benn, void of idealisation but one to whom a thoughtful tribute is paid to. Someone full of contradictions but a strong believer in socialism nonetheless. Philip Bretherton as Benn is simply phenomenal. The gesticulations, the accent, the way he impersonates the politician impersonating others, his charismatic talk… A true pleasure to see and listen and without any doubt the strength of the play.
It’s most likely that anyone seeing the performance has made the choice based on interest towards Benn. However, for those audiences unaware of the man and his politics, it would be advisable to find some background about him beforehand as otherwise the events and names might sound a tad obscure. Even so, it’s a touching play that's beautifully written, performed and directed which even the most neophytes in British politics can fondly take home with them.
Venue: Omnibus Theatre, Clapham
Dates: 2 April - 20 April
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