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Slump fever

Lloyd Evans

Wednesday, 30th April 2008

Gone With the Wind
New London Theatre

The Arts Council may not be brilliant at solving problems but it is truly world-class at agonising over them expensively. At Oval House a clumsily named double bill, Footprints in the Sand, examines the issue of migration. Letting Go by Rukhsana Ahmad is a worthy, well-meaning muddle which portrays asylum-seekers as saintly simpletons. For One Night Only by Oladipo Agboluaje is a lot better and shows two African illegals scamming their way around the country on forged passports. ‘Let me introduce you to a great British institution: fare dodging,’ says one. When he’s on form Agboluaje is a wonderfully angry satirist, but apart from the odd burst of wit this is a disappointing effort, carelessly designed, slapdash and threadbare. I wouldn’t blame anyone for feeding the cravings of a guilt-fixated patron but I wish Agboluaje had tried a teeny bit harder here. Incidental fact: there wasn’t a single migrant in the audience. Something wrong there.

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Katharine Moffitt

May 5th, 2008 8:56pm

Why does not one of the (all) unfavorable reviews I have read of this musical mention the previous effort. I don't remember whether it was 1972 or 1974 - I visited London both times from America with my late mother. I was in my 20's and do not remember much about the production except that it was performed at the Drury Lane Theatre and was also universally panned by the critics - it lasted a very brief time! I must disagree with the author; I think turning 'Gone With the Wind' into a musical is a dreadful idea - that was my and my mother's reaction in the early '70's. Perhaps someday someone will manage it - after all, I was certainly wrong about 'Les Miserables'!!

Food for thought

Simon Hoggart

My favourite programme last week was France on a Plate (BBC4, Sunday) in which Dr Andrew Hussey investigated the link between gastronomy and la gloire; French glory and destiny.