Muslim Fury as 'Jihad The Musical' Comes to the UK

[OneFinger]

International terrorism and the threat to Britain from Al-Qaeda would probably be deemed by most as unlikely subject matter for a musical.

 

After all, suicide bombing, mass bloodshed and fundamental Islam do not exactly lend themselves to singing and dancing.

 

But 'Jihad the Musical' by the Silk Circle Production company has forged on regardless and is already being performed on stage at the Edinburgh Festival.

 

The controversial satire about Islamic terrorism includes such classic tunes as "Building a bomb today, what does the manual say" and "I wanna be like Osama"...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=472928&in_page_id=1770

 

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_01/JihadMusicalUPPA_468x410.jpg

 

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_01/2JihadMusicalUPPA_468x310.jpg

 

Wonder how this play would be received on Broadway?

[Guest rohale]

>But 'Jihad the Musical' by the Silk Circle Production company

>has forged on regardless and is already being performed on

>stage at the Edinburgh Festival.

 

I had a chance to see this play at the Edinburgh Festival not all that long ago now. Without delving into what I thought worked or failed for that matter. I'll just say that for the basic sake of wanting to be entertained, I felt I got my money's worth and smiled all the way thru without once wincing at what was being uttered on stage.

 

I'll just say this much about the Edingburgh Festival and the organisation who run things behinds the scenes. They take big risks by showing what's conventional and also what could be considered " controversial ". Sometimes the payoff is absolute in terms of monetary compensation and critical acclaim. Other times they'll put on a play or a piece of sketch comedy to half empty rooms and it can be quite depressing not just for the audience, but also for the performers on stage who not only endure the long stares coming from the audience, but also the constant criticism by influential fanzines like the Scotsman. Yet the company soldiers on year after year and they always produce something very fresh and original. I've been to festivals in London, Glasgow and ever so pristine Yorkshire and a couple of spotty ones in America. Not to knock these Brit towns down, but unfortunatley what they put on is for the most part not as intimate as the Edingburgh Festival. If any of you have the chance to travel to the United Kingdom in the near future or even next year, give the Edingburgh Festival a chance and you just find yourself being suprised

 

>Wonder how this play would be received on Broadway?

 

Probably not in a million years would anyone ever consider putting a play like this in New York, Los Angeles or even Chicago. For some odd reason, Broadway is absolutely afraid to take chances which in a way is completely of the West End. Maybe it has something to do with the culture of America a being more sensitive to people's moods. Whereas in England, no one cares for " coddling emotions ", if somebody is offended by a particular play where the subject matter may make some people quesy. The reaction in Britain normally tends to be " Hurry Up And Get Over It " or " We Really Dont Care What You Think ". Having lived in Europe and America now , these are the observation I've walked away with.

 

This is why a play like " Jihad " will absolute fail in NYC and all due to having to satisfy one group of people who find the subject matter offensive. Sometimes I think " Broadway " should do less " coddling " and take more creative risks and " Jihad " could be a good example of this. Oh well that's life.

[Epigonos]

Rohale I have to agree with you but only in part. The West End is really only marginally more adventuresome than Broadway. Yes they did produce "Jerry Springer the Opera" while Broadway producers were pissing their pain out of fear of the reaction of our "beloved" religious right if they tried to do it. But as a general rule most of what appears on West End stages is just about a predictable and staid as what appears on Broadway. Lot's of safe musicals, Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, and boring plays specifically written for the likes of Judi Dench or Maggie Smith

It is interesting to note that the two most successful musicals to appear on Broadway recently were introduced in the boondocks first. They only appeared on Broadway when they were already so successful that the New York critics couldn't destroy them. The N.Y. critics absolutely hated "Mama Mia" but by the time it reached Broadway it was such a success that they couldn't do any real damage. “Jersey Boys” also opened off Broadway (in San Diego CA of all places) and eventually arrived on Broadway an acknowledged success.

[+ deej]

You're both right .... some.

 

Broadway takes its risks. How else can you explain "Hair"?

 

Both are extremely driven by profit potential. Heck, even "Chicago" was strangely over the line for its time, yet it went on to be a hit (and later an Academy Award winning movie).

 

Broadway (or West End) producers are not stupid. They won't throw good money after bad.

 

If a show has merit, market appeal, and will sell tickets, it may see the light of day. If it doesn't, G'BYE.

 

Art is great, but profit is what pays for it. Sad, but true.