Can We Talk About This?

Silver Arts Awards - Review on DV8's Can We Talk About This (By Tamana Moushumi)

The show begins, with a lone dancer, moving in a very unusual manner, centre stage. He begins the show, by asking the audience an incredibly mind provoking question; ‘Do you feel morally superior to the Taliban?’ Sitting in the stalls, I could see that less than twenty percent of the audience raised their hands when asked. 

For the next eighty minutes we are offered multiculturalism, free speech, and basically, denotation of Islam, all through the power of dance. This piece, performed by DV8, looked through the worst bits of Islamic life, going back from 1985, all the way to present day. Newson explored various Islamic events, through interviews, archive and dance. He explored forced marriages, the murder of Dutch film maker, Theo van Gogh, The Satanic Verses affair, Danish cartoons, ‘honour’ based killings, jihadism, sharia laws in quite an explicit fashion, in attempt to get the initial vote of the opening question from the remaining eighty percent. 

Although the show echoed views of Prime Minister David Cameron by projecting on a large screen, the approach was brave and controversial, as the text that came along with it was in favour of the view that Islam was and will always be a negative force. 

The bravery is clearly established repeatedly as the tales of those that have died or have been threatened are recalled. The litany pretty much starts with Salman Rushdie and moves, amongst others, through murdered Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh and the notorious Danish cartoonist who lampooned Muhammad (peace be upon him). It continues on to remember dozens of artists and writers murdered for their lack of faith or criticism of the religion, symbolised by gently falling photos, before eventually reaching the present day. The stories are accompanied by this company's trademark cross between dance, movement and physical theatre. This is rarely less that beautiful, making me catch my breath, in amazement of how capable these dancers were, though at times the untrained eye might struggle to understand the direct connection between the bouncy physicality and underlying message.

Having read the reviews on the first night. I was unpleasantly surprised at the perception of Islam that all of the people at the theatre received.  Personally, with having his East End base not far from Brick Lane – the heart of Tower Hamlets’ Muslim community – I wonder what response it might elicit from the devout-looking men and women he passes in the street.

The highlight, at least for its audacious humour, is the tea-talk against forced marriages of Labour politician Ann Cryer, related by a tiny performer, Joy Constantinides as her much larger colleague, Kim-Jomi Fischer becomes ever-changing furniture supporting her. Constantinides performs this monologue so amazingly, that it would be safe to say that most of the audience were so stunned by her physicality, that it was the most absorbed part of the play.

Being a practicing Muslim, I’d say that Muslims are weakening in trying to avoid appreciation for artistic works that they may perceive as negative or blasphemous. This piece definitley does not shy away from criticism.

Lloyd Newson, who has not only devised piece but directs the piece, has created a very slick production with sinuous movement combined with carefully compiled verbatim drama and film. Can We Talk About This? looks good, tests out the energy and physical prowess of a highly impressive ensemble and at the same time presents an uncompromising message.

Some might feel that there is a lack of balance (but certainly not from the impeccably poised performers) as the text repeatedly points up the dark side of Islam. Others will believe that this is a pointed exposé of an unacceptable face of Britain and the wider world today.