Production
On the Record
by Christine Bacon and Noah Birksted-Breen.
On the Record premiered 20 July – 13 August in Studio 1, Arcola Theatre as part of their opening season in their new premises.
Directed by Michael Longhurst Designer Chloe Lamford
Cast: Nathalie Armin, Paul Bhattacharjee, Michelle Bonnard, Kika Markham, Selva Rasalingam and Trevor White.
“Theatre at its best showing journalism at its best” Timothy Ramsden, ReviewsGate for On The Record
Sunday Times critics choice‘The production … compresses a lot into 90 minutes as it lays out why the practice of investigative journalism matters’
Evening Standard critics choice ‘Impassioned … Director Michael Longhurst keeps up the tension throughout. A vital play for grubby times.’
Exeunt ‘With a mixture of pathos, brusque levity, and piercing drama, it rattles and shakes the audience into the centre of events …the effects are profound.’
Financial Times ‘this is a sobering and heartening reminder of why journalism also matters in a positive way.’
The Times ‘a tribute to the courage, compassion and tenacity of those who unearth and report stories of real significance, often at great personal risk… gripping theatre, in a production by Michael Longhurst that is at once succinct, shocking and wryly funny … Throughout, the acting is riveting, unflashy and full of conviction, while the stories the play tells are truly humbling.’
Sri Lankan brothers Lal and Lasantha dare to publish stories that others won’t touch, but at what cost? Meanwhile, in Mexico Lydia uncovers a child pornography ring involving senior politicians, Elena has a run in with the Moscow mafia, Amira reports direct from the Israeli-occupied territories and Zoriah comes up against the US Military over his Iraq war images.
Combining searing verbatim testimony with dramatic reconstruction, On the Record circumnavigates the globe to bring you true stories of six independent journalists, all linked by their determination to shed light on the truth.
‘During the entire Iraq war, only five images have been published showing dead US service members. Two of those are mine. …’
See our 4 star Reviews and further Press Coverage here
Watch the video above for exclusive clips of the show and interviews with the cast, creatives and even one of the real-life characters we featured in the play!
As part of the production, we held a series of Post-Show discussions. Featuring topics such as the threat to journalism today and a chance to meet the real-life characters behind the stories, more information can be found here
Click here to find out more information about the cast and creative team.
Click here to find out more information about the characters in the play.
‘When I’m writing articles, I’m not scared at all. I’m on a high. It’s such a rush. The fear comes later.’
On the Record was developed with the support of the National Theatre Studio
We gratefully acknowledge the support of:
Arts Council England, Scott Trust, Open Society, Brook Trust, Unity Theatre Trust, Jerwood Space, Hollick Family Trust, Index on Censorship and all those who generously repsonded to our JustGiving drive
To download our Press Release for On The Record please click here