Reviews Parabolic Theatre Company / Crisis? What Crisis?
MEMO TO ALL MEMBERS OF HM GOVERNMENT
TO: All Parliamentary Advisors
FROM: Amy Jones
SUBJECT: ‘Crisis, What Crisis?’ - Handling the Upcoming Vote of No Confidence
DATE: 28 March 1979
Last Friday I attended a meeting in an effort to resolve the recent issues surrounding the lorry drivers’ strike, and its impact on our current Labour government. The meeting took place in Croydon, where we visited a small, out-of-the-way office of the Labour Party.
Our objective was clear, if nerve-racking: to help the government restore civil peace and trade union co-operation before the upcoming parliamentary vote of no confidence.
The attendees were invited to take part in all kinds of activities — from negotiating trade deals, manning phones and fax machines, and choosing which representatives to meet, and from which organisations — all in the rush to save the state of the country. At first, it seemed that we advisors were slightly hesitant to be so hands-on, but our hosts at the offices welcomed us and guided us through our unease withhumour, earnestness and skill, working together well in an endearing show of British spirit, bolstered by cups of tea and packets of gingernuts.
This was offset by the frantic beats of the evening’s meeting, as industrial tensions escalated with each of our choices. Trade unions, corporations, embassies and media reps phoned into the office, demanding answers, and more importantly, solutions.
We frantically juggled responsibilities as levels of civil unrest, interest rates, and even the stock market rose and fell before our eyes. Things came to a head at the vote of no confidence late that evening. We waited – holding our breaths – to hear the outcome of the vote and whether Mr Callaghan or Mrs Thatcher had the greater majority.
At the result we were pleased to know that however small or large our contribution had been, we had affected the future of the Labour Party, and therefore the future of the country.
Of course, you are all invited to attend future meetings, where you will also have the opportunity to assist further. These will also be held in Croydon, this coming week only. I urge you to come along, to see what effect your actions could have on the current political climate.
More details of all this can be found here.
By Amy Jones
TO: All Parliamentary Advisors
FROM: Amy Jones
SUBJECT: ‘Crisis, What Crisis?’ - Handling the Upcoming Vote of No Confidence
DATE: 28 March 1979
Last Friday I attended a meeting in an effort to resolve the recent issues surrounding the lorry drivers’ strike, and its impact on our current Labour government. The meeting took place in Croydon, where we visited a small, out-of-the-way office of the Labour Party.
Our objective was clear, if nerve-racking: to help the government restore civil peace and trade union co-operation before the upcoming parliamentary vote of no confidence.
The attendees were invited to take part in all kinds of activities — from negotiating trade deals, manning phones and fax machines, and choosing which representatives to meet, and from which organisations — all in the rush to save the state of the country. At first, it seemed that we advisors were slightly hesitant to be so hands-on, but our hosts at the offices welcomed us and guided us through our unease withhumour, earnestness and skill, working together well in an endearing show of British spirit, bolstered by cups of tea and packets of gingernuts.
This was offset by the frantic beats of the evening’s meeting, as industrial tensions escalated with each of our choices. Trade unions, corporations, embassies and media reps phoned into the office, demanding answers, and more importantly, solutions.
We frantically juggled responsibilities as levels of civil unrest, interest rates, and even the stock market rose and fell before our eyes. Things came to a head at the vote of no confidence late that evening. We waited – holding our breaths – to hear the outcome of the vote and whether Mr Callaghan or Mrs Thatcher had the greater majority.
At the result we were pleased to know that however small or large our contribution had been, we had affected the future of the Labour Party, and therefore the future of the country.
Of course, you are all invited to attend future meetings, where you will also have the opportunity to assist further. These will also be held in Croydon, this coming week only. I urge you to come along, to see what effect your actions could have on the current political climate.
More details of all this can be found here.
By Amy Jones
This review comes from an enthusiastic audience member....
If you have been invited to an immersive theatre experience entitled Crisis? What Crisis? it is fair to surmise this it will be about Brexit but no. This is about a much older crisis in 1979. The Labour Party is in power – just. They are facing a vote of confidence in the House that evening - they need all Labour MPs there and to vote for the government to win. However, there is also a crisis with a lorry drivers’ dispute dragging on. So you are one of the good men and women from the ministries brought to an office block in Croydon to end the dispute.
The magic starts the minute you walk into the 1970s block and are greeted by a brother and sister who give you your passes. As we gather a member of the press is sent off “ no comment” and then you go up to the office. Everything is very nicely in period. And you are off… You go into teams as you await the arrival of the leader of the lorry drivers’ union and plan how you are going to spin this in the press.
Around the room there are displays – the state of tension in main cities and coastal dock towns, the FTSE index and inflation. Every decision you make affects these markers. You have to decide how you are going to handle the press and the city. Then the trade union officer arrives. You have talks – have you come to an agreement? Then the IMF drops a bombshell. As you work through the problems you have to check which members of the government might not vote on your side that night and you keep up communications there. Should you favour their areas? All this affects the markers.
I was lucky enough to be put onto a LBC radio phone in on the lorry dispute and what we were going to do. It was exhilarating and I even managed to get in the classic line “ the pound in your pocket is secure.” But my heart was thumping.
To me this was theatre at its best – totally involving, whether you had a good understanding of the period or not. The decisions we took changed the outcomes of everything – did we avert the strike and win the vote of confidence? I am not saying but there is a different result every night.
Everyone involved was superb but especial praise has to go to Tom Black as a latter day, Northern Alistair Campbell, complete with swear jar! As a political master of ceremonies he moved us along yet let us make our own decisions.
The one thing I would say is if you go to the theatre to relax this is not for you. Adrenaline rages. But if you find yourself saying that politicians today are a mess and you could do better - go and find out – go back to the 70s with Parabolic Theatre.
By Alison Morgan
If you have been invited to an immersive theatre experience entitled Crisis? What Crisis? it is fair to surmise this it will be about Brexit but no. This is about a much older crisis in 1979. The Labour Party is in power – just. They are facing a vote of confidence in the House that evening - they need all Labour MPs there and to vote for the government to win. However, there is also a crisis with a lorry drivers’ dispute dragging on. So you are one of the good men and women from the ministries brought to an office block in Croydon to end the dispute.
The magic starts the minute you walk into the 1970s block and are greeted by a brother and sister who give you your passes. As we gather a member of the press is sent off “ no comment” and then you go up to the office. Everything is very nicely in period. And you are off… You go into teams as you await the arrival of the leader of the lorry drivers’ union and plan how you are going to spin this in the press.
Around the room there are displays – the state of tension in main cities and coastal dock towns, the FTSE index and inflation. Every decision you make affects these markers. You have to decide how you are going to handle the press and the city. Then the trade union officer arrives. You have talks – have you come to an agreement? Then the IMF drops a bombshell. As you work through the problems you have to check which members of the government might not vote on your side that night and you keep up communications there. Should you favour their areas? All this affects the markers.
I was lucky enough to be put onto a LBC radio phone in on the lorry dispute and what we were going to do. It was exhilarating and I even managed to get in the classic line “ the pound in your pocket is secure.” But my heart was thumping.
To me this was theatre at its best – totally involving, whether you had a good understanding of the period or not. The decisions we took changed the outcomes of everything – did we avert the strike and win the vote of confidence? I am not saying but there is a different result every night.
Everyone involved was superb but especial praise has to go to Tom Black as a latter day, Northern Alistair Campbell, complete with swear jar! As a political master of ceremonies he moved us along yet let us make our own decisions.
The one thing I would say is if you go to the theatre to relax this is not for you. Adrenaline rages. But if you find yourself saying that politicians today are a mess and you could do better - go and find out – go back to the 70s with Parabolic Theatre.
By Alison Morgan