I first read Philip Ridley’s Moonfleece about six years ago when it was written for NT Connections (then Shell Connections): a youth initiative from the National Theatre. At the time I never would have believed that a few years later I would be seeing the play performed professionally for the first time in East London on its press night and I definitely wouldn’t have believed I would have met the writer himself afterwards!
Moonfleece is set in an East London tower block (like many of Ridley’s plays inspired from the place he grew up) It addresses issues that perhaps are more relevant today than what they were when the play was first written, specifically Nationalism and far right politics.
A time ago people were open about supporting far right parties, skinheads would sell the National Front paper on Brick lanes streets but now the issue is far more taboo and supporters hide behind glossed over propaganda and business suits.
Young people of today are being targeted by the BNP, they pretend that they are something they are not and in some cases they are getting their poisonous message across to people through brainwashing and lies. Through targeting the young and blaming asylum seekers for taking ‘all their jobs, they won a seat in Yorkshire: a place high in unemployment in young people.
Moonfleece is an educational asset of today, a device to show young people that these values are wrong to any decent person and parties like the BNP have motives behind their policies which they are not completely truthful about. I though the actual play was beautifully written, Ridley’s storytelling technique is unique and very recognisable of himself. He has a clever and engaging way of addressing issues that affect young people through performance and he is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most influential playwrights of our time.
Moonfleece is on at Rich Mix in Shoreditch until the 13th of March, before it goes on tour across England. There are also post-show discussions on the issues raised in the play, as well as Ridley’s live poetry cycle ‘Lovesongs for Extinct Creatures’ and a screening of Ridley’s new film ‘Heartless‘. Do try and see it if you can!
This post was written by Sian Ross, our New Writing Liaison. If you know about something going on, or want us to see some of your work, then email us and we’d be happy to come along.