You know that a political career is on the rocks when an MP starts complaining about art he knows little about, but you can see where the latest scandal surrounding Stephen Fry’s Latin! is coming from.
Paedophilia isn’t the best subject at the best of times, no matter how consensual, but Activated Image manage to deliver Fry’s classic play with the thinly veiled innocence in which it was written.
Obviously not everyone will find it acceptable, in fact a lot of people will find it down right distasteful, but only a true cretin could fault Fry’s masterful wit or Farrelly and Noad’s resourceful delivery. The dialogue has been altered slightly to appeal to today’s audience, but the main body of this public school tale of cricket and buggery remains true to the highly acclaimed original. The subject is obviously off colour, but it’s no worse than the reputation that public schools already have.
If you have a vaguely open mind you will enjoy the dry wit and subtle (and blatant) innuendo of one of Fry’s finest works. Admittedly a lot of the charm comes from Fry’s exemplary wit, but Farrelly and Noad both put in good, solid performances as the sexually alternative teachers. Not the best show on this year’s Fringe but a damn fine attempt.
3/5
Richard Biggs
