“Game” – a play by Mike Bartlett

Game – a play by Mike Bartlett

At the Almeida Theatre until 4^th April 2015

www.almeida.co.uk

Rumour has it that pop and style legend, David Bowie, would sit down for ten minutes and, over a cup of coffee, write one of his many enduring hits. Mike Bartlett, who has delivered thought provoking plays, which include King Charles III, My Child and Bull, also probably sat down, coffee in hand, and wrote his latest offering, Game, in about ten minutes. But this is where the comparison ends. Because Game may be a dark and disturbing take on the housing crisis but it is not clever and clever is what we have come to expect of Bartlett.

With an election looming, Game is a politically motivated piece that centres on the current housing shortage and pushes the concept into a reality TV game. Cash strapped would be home seekers can secure a dwelling provided they don’t mind being shot at by privileged thrill seekers using airguns. It’s a combination of various genres of reality shows and films: Big Brother, The Truman Show with even shades of the 1975 violent classic, Rollerball. But Bartlett decides to push the boundaries even further and add a child into the ugly equation; will the game be more profitable to the organisers if the targets include children? Taboo busting is always dangerous when children are involved and better left to innovative directors, similar to David Cronenberg, who displayed his control on the subject of taboos in his masterful Maps to the Stars.

Although the housing crisis is an extremely serious issue please think twice about spending money to see Game. The housing situation would be better served if charities, including Shelter and Centrepoint, received the funds. Please donate accordingly.