“Make it Happen” was the mantra of Fred “The Shred” Goodwin, overreaching and disgraced CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
James Graham’s play about the events leading up to the financial crash of 2008 is already proving to be the sellout hit of this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Light in touch yet rich in detail the story gives us a glorious reminder of Scotland’s turn of the century glory days filled with pride and inflated self-confidence.
We had devolution, a Scottish Prime Minister and a Scottish Chancellor in Downing Street, and the biggest bank in the world. Cue for hubris, and a Greek chorus of Royal Bank of Scotland employees and shareholders sing the songs of that era to highlight the action, with Edinburgh born actor Sandy Grierson in the role of the ever-confident Goodwin, who expands his banking and personal ambitions to a state of national economic ruin.
Directed by Andrew Panton and brilliantly scripted by James Graham the language of the play is witty and vigorous, brimming with sharp asides and telling details. Being a National Theatre of Scotland co-production with Dundee Rep it is an added joy that proud Dundonian Brian Cox appears as the ghost of economist Adam Smith, his first Scottish stage role in a decade. A treat indeed for us, Cox plays the role both lightly and yet with gravitas – Adam Smith has discovered the joy of scented candles and hand cream from John Lewis, but reminds Goodwin of Smith’s compassionate approach to our human contract with one another, a concept totally unknown to Goodwin.
Andy Clark makes a fine Gordon Brown caught in the middle of this massive economic crisis described “as the right man at the wrong time” and by Adam Smith as “a Prime Minister from Kirkcaldy??? *******!!” Mention also must be made of Ann Louise Ross, who goes from being the Royal Bank shareholder who asks awkward questions to a hissing hell cat who seems to curse the hapless Godwin on his descent into catastrophe.
This is a play probably best enjoyed by a local audience, who know this place and knew these people, but in its clever satirical presentation it has a wide, global appeal that should ensure a possible London run and success for many years to come. Who knows? It might be the new “Black Watch” for Scotland’s National Theatre.
*****
Edinburgh Festival Theatre until August 9th.