Comment is Free

James Fritz

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781780019895
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A journalist forms the centre of a devastating media storm in James Fritz's urgent, gripping and innovative play.

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.

The journalist and political commentator

Alistair Cooper today sparked controversy –

Alistair Cooper/Alistair Cooper said/I hate

Alistair Cooper/I hate Alistair Cooper so much.

What’s he said now?

Awful views. Awful man.

God I hate Alistair Cooper.

ALISTAIR Hello, you’ve reached Alistair Cooper. I’m not available right now but please leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.

HILARY Alistair it’s me. Can you pick something up on your way home, I’m going late at work again sorry love you bye.

Alistair Cooper and wife

Alistair Cooper, wife alongside him

Alistair Cooper’s wife Hilary sports gorgeous halterneck dress as she attends

Alistair Cooper’s wife Hilary looks stylish alongside her husband as he collects

Not hard to see why she married him is it?

She doesn’t need his money, she’s posher than he is.

She’s a QC apparently.

If she was my barrister I’d 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 he’s spawned.

People like him shouldn’t be allowed kids.

ALISTAIR Hello, you’ve reached Alistair Cooper. I’m not available right now but please leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.

HILARY Hiya it’s me just to remind you Agnes has her vaccination appointment but I’m having lunch with my brother so can’t 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 Cooper’s 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.

He’s 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 – Your response?

Alistair Cooper’s latest comments have sparked outrage on social media with ‘ShutUpAlistair’ trending for a large part of the day.

ShutUpAlistair.

Hahaha love that ShutUpAlistair’s trending worldwide.

ShutUpAlistair/ShutUpAlistair/ShutUpAlistair ShutUpAlistair I hate you. Now go away.

BEN Heard Alistair on the radio.

HILARY Was he good?

BEN You didn’t listen?

HILARY Never do.

BEN He really went for it.

HILARY Always does.

BEN He’s getting worse. You really didn’t listen? Some of the language he used –

HILARY Why do you listen if he annoys you so much?

BEN A lot of people are very upset.

HILARY Oh they’re always upset about something.

BEN Maybe you should talk to him. Get him to tone things down. It’s getting a bit out of hand.

HILARY Don’t be so dramatic.

BEN I’m your brother.

HILARY So.

BEN So I’m worried about you. People are really angry.

HILARY Alistair’s been saying stuff like this for years. It’s never bothered you before. What’s this really about?

BEN When I tell people he’s my brother-in-law they. There’s a look I get a look.

HILARY What sort of look? Your lefty mates.

BEN Yes but not just them. Strangers. People you meet.

I was on a date last week and it was all going really well right up until I said that my sister was married to Alistair Cooper. After that he couldn’t wait to get out of there.

HILARY I’m sure Alistair’s going to be devastated he’s interfering with your love life.

BEN Doesn’t it get to you? How much people hate him?

HILARY Of course not. Never has. Alistair doesn’t care what people think of him and neither do I. There’s always been two Alistairs. You know that. The real guy at home and the pantomime villain. At home he’s a great dad, a wonderful husband and just about my favourite person on the planet. They can hate the panto version all they like.

I hate Alistair Cooper.

I hate Alistair Cooper.

I hate Alistair Cooper and everything he stands for.

I...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• Acknowledgements
• Original Production
• Note on Text
• Comment Is Free
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information