TWENTY years ago it was quite common for activists to get the mes. sage of their campaign across to a wider audience through exciting po. litical theatre.
When well made it can also act as a A copper being DNA tested by a colleogue and on undercover poltical octivist posing os Inspector C/ Adams. battery recharger for those involved.
So it is refreshing to see Birming• ham's Banner Theatre's latest offering Criminal Justice performing both these tasks.
The new play by Stuart Brown and Dave Rogers reminds us of the pernicious nature of the Criminal Justice Bill by telling the stories of people whose rights and lives have been destroyed by The almost accidental infiltration of the highest echelons of the police force by an anti-CIA campaigner gives the scripe both a humorous and sinister twist.
A highlight of the performance was the section dealing with the Prevention of Terrorism Act and particularly the haunting song. powerfully delivered by Paula Boulton. about the experi ences of Annette MeNulty in police custody.
Most thought provoking the parts dealing with the attacks on the gypsy community. The act demands that travelling people give up their centuries old way of life and integrate into settled 'communities' — described here as The campaign against the Mil, of of Disability rights campaigners fighting for accessible public transport, of women peace campaigners were all brought to life by slides and tapes of the actual events in the voices of those involved.
This performance was a benefit for Saipal Ram, imprisoned in 1986 on a murder charge after defending himself against a vicious racist attack. Sarpal was placed in segregation in Long Lartin prison tor relusing to comply with proccoures that amoumt to sinp searching.
This was conveyed to the audience by leading activists from the Free Sarpal Campaign-further reinforcing the vital need for solidarity on many fronts. Banner Theatre BANNER THEATRE can be contacted at The Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Rd, Highgate, Birmingham B12 ODG or on 0121 440 0460.
Music tapes of the show are also avallable.
Criminal Justice Is now book. Ing at the reduced price of 4300.
Free Satpal Ram FREE SATPAL Ram Campaign can be contacted c/o 101 Villa Rd, Handsworth, Birmigham.
information DoUSADAS current situation can be ob. tained from the campaign or from Socialist Outlook