Brilliant Writing Or Just Reactive?

[inksplotter]

Do you think the writer of this showed creative spirit? It does need to be talked about, but Jim Fixit is a terrible name. Banning a play is usually an honour, hopefully it can be performed somewhere else.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/junior-school-calls-off-school-play-featuring-character-based-on-jimmy-savile-9556186.html

[kvalidir]

It's not a new play, so no it's neither brilliant nor reactive, it's just a play and it would have had a different tone when it was written to now because of the change in public perception of someone one of the characters was based on.

[woofgang]

The report says its an "old play" I suspect this isn't any kind of attempt at cutting edge creative writing, its just a children's play written before all the recent scandal.

[inksplotter]

This is interesting, kvalidar. It wasn't investigated what it meant at the time?

[inksplotter]

I think it's more than just a children's play.

[kvalidir]

I'm confused about what your trying to ask Inksplotter- can you elaborate what you mean?

[woofgang]

"At the time" its likely that it would have been a recognised reference to a well loved TV personality. I don't think there is any implication in the play of any wrong doing.

[inksplotter]

Sorry when I thought when they said he was a caretaker...

[woofgang]

now I am confused too.

[inksplotter]

I think kvalidar is saying is the character is totally harmless version of Jimmy Savile.

[kvalidir]

Ah I see, well I think in this instance they mean a School 'caretaker' which is like a handyman who does repair jobs around the school- not like someone who takes care of people. Is English your first language Inksplotter?

[woofgang]

I think you need to separate this play from the Savile scandal. At the time the play was probably written, all most people would have known about him would have been what they saw on TV...a person who could fix anything. This would have made the character an ideal one to incorporate into a children's play. Now that we know differently, its a pretty horrifying idea of course and I can't see the play being performed anywhere.

[inksplotter]

English is my first language. I thought that the Saville character had got the job as a caretaker for nefarious purposes.

[jno]

this was written before the scandal erupted. They rotate plays each year and got this one out again without checking to remind themselves what was in it.

[inksplotter]

Surely you check something by reading through it? I don't think much of their directing skills if they can't even do that.

[Prudie]

I find some people's outrage at this kind of thing quite annoying. What a fuss, all they had to do was change the character's name if they're so affronted. After all it was not actually about Jimmy Saville himself rather one his 'personas'.

[jno]

why would you reread a play just to make sure none of your characters had turned out to be a paedophile? Shakespeare didn't do that and neither does Alan Ayckbourne

[woofgang]

The liklihood was that either the school owned copies of the play already, so it wouldn't have been bought it the first place if it wasn't appropriate, or the copies were rented from a supplier, and again the assumption would be that they play was appropriate for children if it was in the list. The synopsis would have said something like "a play with songs about a school with a very special caretaker, suitable for ages xxx to xxx characters..adults and how many needed, children's speaking parts and how many needed, non speaking parts and chorus and how many needed and degree of difficulty.
If the caretaker had been called "Rob the Builder" (can he fix it? yes he can!) then the story wouldn't have been news.

[woofgang]

I think given the circs, the school did right to withdraw the play, and yes a bit of an oversight but surely not a huge deal?

[inksplotter]

How can you read "Jim Fixit" and not see the connection? Never mind checking, simple reading is enough. Studying texts is part of Drama and English, which a teacher needs to be trained in.

Rumours existed about him existed before the scandal broke and I haven't read the play, maybe it shows him as some kind of weirdo?

[kvalidir]

I really think you're reading too much into it inksplotter. For sure you are right the teachers should have read the script, didn't and then had to withdraw it but it is all a bit hysterical by the parents. Just get over it and do a different play.