Owen (Ewan Miller) is a left wing activist. Arthur (Richard Conlon) is a Tory MP, the new Minster for Justice. Taking part in the latter's own system, they have been brought together for a restorative justice session, following Owen's arrest for throwing a strawberry milkshake over Arthur in the street. The facilitator and witness haven't turned up, but the agenda is there, so they agree to work through it by themselves. It can't be that difficult, can it?
Two very different personalities, with very different outlooks on the world. But they find out both love Billy Connolly, so that's a start. What follows is an impressively deep dissection of political disagreement, considering the limitations of a 50 minute play. Presumably inspired by the famous Five Guys Milkshake Attack, Arthur is a much more human character than the vile fascist of the real life incident. He begins as pompous and controlling, but Conlon ensures he gets our sympathies at times, and that there is an underlying complexity to his actions. Owen is passionate about social justice, but his failings soon appear. The personal informs the political, guilt is often a powerful motivator, and both characters show their good and bad sides.
Rob Drummond's clever script explores the nature of political disagreement, with a reminder that there are always far more to people's stories than shows on the surface. With some laughs thrown in to lighten the load (one of Arthur's parting shots is a beauty) and the odd twist in the tale. Yet another excellent Traverse short, and one of the most thought provoking.
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