AFTER ALL the disputes about expenses and the peddling of influence the European Parliament’s first meeting in its new futuristic
AFTER ALL the disputes about expenses and the peddling of influence, the European Parliament’s first meeting in its new futuristic building was an excellent opportunity to signal a fresh start. When asked to suggest a type of theatre, one man shoutedfrom the middle of the windy, open- air arena: “One with a roof.”After an evening of improvised comedy often sharp enough to cut your finger, a man on his way out of the Globe was heard saying to his companion: “You know what I liked best about tonight? There was no actual Shakespeare in it.”. In an extended musical spy spoof about an undercover chicken, Q (Merton) wandered over to the side of the stage and told Bond (Smart): “I’ll show you what you need for this mission This may look like an ordinary pillar, but actually.. “The audience frequently seemed equally quick. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”Ever-alert to comic possibilities, the Players were also able to exploit the theatre’s period surroundings. In one routine, Merton had to sing a show-stopping panto number about a torture dungeon: “My torture song is very simple,” he crooned.
As Sweeney pointed out: “Talking bollocks is an intrinsic part of this show.” Their sheer daftness also helps them hurdle the greatest pitfall for improvisers: terminal smugness.Although occasionally falling into the easy trap of extracting a cheap laugh from a crude gesture, the company excelled at imaginative incongruities. The “sold out” signs for the Players’ one-off performance at Shakespeare’s Globe had been plastered on the box office for days and those lucky enough to secure tickets were not disappointed. The troupe (Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence, Jim Sweeney, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, Andy Smart and Lee Simpson) seemed to feed off the boisterous audience.
Performing twice a week at the Comedy Store over the past 14 years, the Players have perfected the art of spontaneous silliness – indeed, the sillier the better. But like theSwedish popsters, off-the- cuff comedy is very much a la mode at the moment.
OVER THE past two decades, improvisation has been in and out of fashion more often than Abba. I would do the same, not hit him, but tell our mates and we’d probably all get him. Let him know.Researcher: Really, you would have your best mate beaten up because he is gay?Adie: But like you say, it’s what we would do but we’re not gay.Carl: If there were gay kids in this school, I’d move school.. It is difficult enough for children to tell a teacher they have been bullied.
How much more difficult it is to talk about sexual bullying.”Sexual Bullying: Gender Conflict in Pupil Culture, by Neil Duncan is published on 14 August by Routledge, price pounds 14.99.What 16-Year-Olds Say About GaysResearcher: What what you do if your best mate told you he was gay?Carl: If he was a queer? I’d slap him, I would I wouldn’t have him coming near me.Adie: It’s right. “If they talk about homosexuality they are in fear that a councillor or parent will complain. Teachers did not have the time or the skill to deal with sexual bullying. The boys interviewed said that they did not know anyone homosexual.”There ought to be further discussions about what schools should be doing,” he suggested. Here boys can make fun of any, usually hidden, perceived abnormality or developmental delay, and broadcast it to others.”His paper points out that the word “gay” was not used by these boys to describe a homosexual but was a catch-all term for any trait thought to be undesirable, such as a lack of interest in sport, academic success, lack of aggression or even a show of tenderness. Some schools invent terms of abuse, such as “sconner” for someone with no pubic hair.”As boys acquired their masculinised bodies, those who were insecure or unsuccessful in their social or sexual relationships frequently attempted to underline their masculinity by persecuting less mature boys, presumably to advertise by unfavourable comparison,” said Mr Duncan, referring to the interviews.He added: “It must be remembered that schools give an unrivalled opportunity for same- sex groups to observe one another naked in sports. Taunts such as “gay”, “wimp” and “dweeb”, lead on to stripping, also known as “kegging”.