jihad.txt

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http://www.nightnews.net/fringe2007.htm#jihad
Title: Jihad The Musical - Silk Circle Productions
3 gold bats
http://www.jihad-the-musical.com

21 08 07 - Probably one of the most controversial offerings of the 
Fringe this year which for a musical comedy is somewhat of an 
achievement. But this is the sort of cheap controversy that the media
and production company both love as it sells copy and fills seats. 
Brought to the Fringe by a New York production team it provided 
precisely the kind of bad taste humour that the Fringe is known to
accommodate quite well. While controversy raged in the media the 
show played to some pretty full houses. The parody however lacked 
punch and failed in its promise to ruthlessly lampoon the war on 
terror or its protagonists. The faintly amusing storyline was thin,
the songs rather silly and audience reaction was a mix of disbelief
to playing along to some of the jollier numbers. In some ways its
most redeeming feature was to make fun out of both America and its
fundamentalist enemies, as careerists on both sides jostled each 
other to score points or get media coverage. Its only subversive 
thought was in stating the obvious that the war is useful to both
sides in securing compliance from their respective captive
populations. A popular show which has obtained a higher media 
profile through notoriety than its content or execution deserves.
See it for that reason alone because most of this offering is
instantly forgettable.

By John Vassallo