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By Libya Herald reporter.
London, 8 June 2014:
A new play now showing at a London theatre sets out to tell a different story . . .[restrict]of the 2011 revolution, claiming Muammar Qaddafi was a benign figure and the NATO intervention as a capitalist conspiracy revolving around the World Bank.
In An Interview with Qaddafi, playwright Reggie Adams takes an antagonistic approach to the revolution, ignoring much of the background that led to the uprising and instead plunging right into the middle of the conflict.
In his tale, struggling journalist Bellamy Johan heads out to cover the revolution at the suggestion of a ex-patriate Libyan neighbour. Once there, he interviews Qaddafi twice – the second time shortly before his death – and feels that a different side to the revolution needs to be reported.
Johan pleads with his editor back in London to “get the truth out” about the revolution but she retorts that he is an idealist and a dinosaur for believing Qaddafi’s words.
In the final interview and penultimate scene of the play, the character of Qaddafi says: “Forces have conspired against my country…for 40 years I fought for my people. I liberated the country from imperialists. I have failed in this regard, I have failed the people.”
As he is dragged away by his female bodyguard, Qaddafi shouts out: “Capitalism will triumph over democracy,” leaving the twisted impression that he was the victim.
There is some good acting and excellent use of multimedia, but for anyone with a broad understanding of Libya and global politics, it is likely to annoy and frustrate, and for those with strong anti-Qaddafi feelings, to enrage.
A handful of post-2011 popular cultural references thrown in for effect also show a carelessness that further undermines this counter-revolutionary effort.
An Interview with Qaddafi runs until 29 June at London’s Waterloo East Theatre.
It is unlikely to be seen in Libya. [/restrict]
