- 96 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
Two plays by award-winning writer James Fritz, each asking urgent, pointed and complex questions of the times we live in.
Ideal for schools, youth theatres and amateur companies to perform, these versatile and incisive plays demonstrate an innovative playwright at the top of his craft.
In Comment Is Free, a journalist forms the centre of a devastating media storm. After being staged by Old Vic New Voices in 2015, the version published here was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016, winning both the Tinniswood and Imison Awards for Audio Drama.
Start Swimming is a play about occupation, revolution and what the future holds for today's youth. One step away from disaster, there's only one thing left to do: start swimming. First staged by the Young Vic Taking Part department, Start Swimming was also performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017.
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Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access Comment is Free & Start Swimming by James Fritz in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & British Drama. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Acknowledgements
With thanks to Alex Ferris and all at Old Vic New Voices, and Kate Hewitt, Martha Rose Wilson and the wonderful cast of our reading.
And Becky. Hereâs to making lots more noise together.
J.F.
This version of Comment Is Free was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 5 October, 2016, with the following cast:
HILARY | Rachael Stirling |
BEN | Tobias Menzies |
EMMA WATKINS | Alice Kirk |
POLICE OFFICER | Alison Belbin |
EDITOR | Jolyon Jenkins |
Director, Producer & Dramaturg | Becky Ripley |
The news was read by Neil Nunes, Susan Rae, Zeb Soanes and Ritula Shah, with Jonathan Dimbleby hosting Any Questions.
âThe Noiseâ was voiced by Natasha Cowley, Luke MacGregor, Clare Perkins and Gavi Singh Chera, alongside hundreds of crowdsourced contributors from across the country.
Note on Text
This is a text featuring hundreds of voices.
It should feel noisy â things should overlap, and not everything needs to be heard.
A line with no full stop at the end indicates an unfinished thought.
A dash at the end of a line indicates an interruption.
The journalist and political commentator
Alistair Cooper today sparked controversy â
Alistair Cooper/Alistair Cooper said/I hate
Alistair Cooper/I hate Alistair Cooper so much.
Whatâs he said now?
Awful views. Awful man.
God I hate Alistair Cooper.
ALISTAIR Hello, youâve reached Alistair Cooper. Iâm not available right now but please leave me a message and Iâll get back to you.
HILARY Alistair itâs me. Can you pick something up on your way home, Iâm going late at work again sorry love you bye.
Alistair Cooper and wife
Alistair Cooper, wife alongside him
Alistair Cooperâs wife Hilary sports gorgeous halterneck dress as she attends
Alistair Cooperâs wife Hilary looks stylish alongside her husband as he collects
Not hard to see why she married him is it?
She doesnât need his money, sheâs posher than he is.
Sheâs a QC apparently.
If she was my barrister Iâd question her judgement.
Alistair Cooper pictured with his wife Hilary and their two-year-old daughter Agnes.
That poor child.
Imagine having Alistair Cooper as a father.
Oh god heâs spawned.
People like him shouldnât be allowed kids.
ALISTAIR Hello, youâve reached Alistair Cooper. Iâm not available right now but please leave me a message and Iâll get back to you.
HILARY Hiya itâs me just to remind you Agnes has her vaccination appointment but Iâm having lunch with my brother so canât take her. Love you bye.
Alistair Cooper today sparked outrage with fresh comments on
Comments on immigration
After referring to union leader Ken McNeil as a cockroach
Cooper, appearing on The Daily Politics argued that
Have you seen this?
Have you seen what Cooperâs said this time?
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY
Hello and welcome to Any Questions from the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House, London. On our panel this week is political commentator Alistair Cooper
Not him again.
How can the BBC give a platform to a moron like him.
Heâs a carbuncle on the backside of civilised society and he needs to be removed permanently.
Everybody hates you Alistair Cooper so just hurry up and die.
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY
Alistair Cooper â Your response?
Alistair Cooperâs latest comments have sparked outrage on social media with âShutUpAlistairâ trending for a large part of the day.
ShutUpAlistair.
Hahaha love that ShutUpAlistairâs trending worldwide.
ShutUpAlistair/ShutUpAlistair/ShutUpAlistair ShutUpAlistair I hate you. Now go away.
BEN Heard Alistair on the radio.
HILARY Was he good?
BEN You didnât listen?
HILARY Never do.
BEN He really went for it.
HILARY Always does.
BEN Heâs getting worse. You really didnât listen? Some of the language he used â
HILARY Why do you listen if he annoys you so much?
BEN A lot of people are very upset.
HILARY Oh theyâre always upset about something.
BEN Maybe you should talk to him. Get him...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Contents
- Introduction
- Comment Is Free
- Start Swimming
- About the Author
- Copyright and Performing Rights Information