Seabright Productions present
Lockerbie: Unfinished Business
written and performed by David Benson
directed by Hannah Eidinow
Available for touring in 2012 - see this site for Edinburgh 2010 reviews.
When 270 people were killed in Britain’s worst terrorist atrocity, grieving father Jim Swire found his faith in his own country’s legal system shattered. His full shocking story is told in this world premiere production by writer/performer David Benson, and director Hannah Eidinow – a triple Fringe First award-winning team.Last August, the man convicted for the bombing, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was released from jail on compassionate grounds, returning home to Libya reportedly terminally ill with prostate cancer. The second appeal against his conviction was cancelled despite multiple suggestions that a miscarriage of justice had occurred, that a key witness was bribed and coached, and that crucial evidence was faked during the original trial. Using a blend of verbatim material and dramatisation, Benson presents Swire’s ongoing struggle to find the truth in a hard-hitting piece of political theatre with international relevance.
David Benson made his solo performance debut at Edinburgh fringe in 1996 with Think No Evil Of Us: My Life With Kenneth Williams, which won a Fringe First, played a West End season and continues to tour nationally. He has since become an acclaimed festival favourite. In 2008 he adapted the First World War diaries of Captain Alexander Stewart in The Stage Award nominee My Grandfather’s Great War. At the 2009 fringe, Benson wrote and performed documentary piece Doctor Whom? My Search For Samuel Johnson.
Hannah Eidinow is a double Fringe First Award winning director for political theatre pieces What I Heard About Iraq (Edinburgh 2006; UK Tour & West End 2007) and Gone (Edinburgh & West End 2004). Hannah is an associate director of The Miniaturists, a writer-led group dedicated to producing short plays and has worked with a number of established playwrights to produce shows at the Arcola. She recently directed The Lady From The Sea (Arcola) and The Ugly One (Norwich Playhouse). She is also directing the Pleasance production of Memory Cells at the Fringe this year.
What the papers say...
‘Combines a respectful, subtle and profoundly moving performance with a mighty and unanswerable indictment of cover-up and injustice, in a show that every thinking citizen of this country should see, and act upon.’
**** The Scotsman‘Alongside the facts, Benson’s Swire presents a series of memories. The line between theatre and life is crossed, and there are few dry eyes in the audience.’
**** Financial Times‘David Benson, better known for his comic portrayals, is outstanding. The play is illuminating and profoundly moving.’
***** Whatsonstage.com
