Trojan Horse, Battersea Arts Centre - ★★★★ - Until November 16, 2019


Theatre should entertain and stimulate and Lung Theatre's Trojan Horse succeeds on both levels. Focusing on the controversial Trojan Horse Inquiry (2014) into the supposed radicalisation of Muslim pupils in Birmingham schools this play certainly pulls no punches. It is drawn from over 200 hours of interviews and presents these verbatim in a series of short scenes. This was a murky nadir in the history of the UK education system and it is a devastating condemnation of Michael Gove, the Education Secretary at the time. The play doesn't descend into a political diatribe and the script is extremely well constructed retaining great clarity; it doesn't go for easy caricatures. Trojan Horse is tremendously well presented with just five terrific young actors playing a myriad of roles whilst school desks whiz around the stage creating classrooms and offices; it is very slick and theatrical. The performances are totally convincing with each performer morphing from teenager to parent to school governor with consummate ease. One is left with the uneasy knowledge that religion has been used as a weapon time and time again. It is worth noting that this challenging, angry and passionate piece is soon to be performed in the Houses of Parliament!

 Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until November 16, 2019
Mon - Sat: 7:30 pm (Nov 16: 3 pm)
Battersea Art Centre
Nearest station: Clapham Junction
https://www.bac.org.uk/content/45507/whats_on/whats_on/shows/trojan_horse
Map & Location: Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN, United Kingdom

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