How far should we limit free expression?
The Age We Are’s ‘Don’t Say That’ raises questions about our use of language reminicient of Newspeak in Orwell’s 1984. Newspeak is “politically correct” speech taken to its maximum extent. Newspeak is based on standard English, but all words describing “unorthodox” political concepts have been removed. Don’t Say That asks whether we are censored or self-censor to avoid causing offence. Should we just say what we want? Should we be frightened of causing offence? Is it possible to be conditioned to avoid causing offence? Is there a line and where should it be drawn?
The production is set in a paralell world centred around The Bureau. The Bureau monitors communications to limit expression in order to limit the possibility of causing offence. Serious stuff but the cast work in a lot of humour. I particularly liked the physicality when they came togehter in a choreographed routine to represent censorship machines. I also loved the sketches of a supermarket checkout girl and customer showing the politically correct and incorrect ways to conduct a transaction. The language of the Bureau was spot-on, New Labour helping or facilitating your ‘choices’ (which was, in truth, a thinly veiled coercion).
The production raised more questions in my mind than it answered but perhaps that is no bad thing!
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
Fri 28 Aug
1330
Space 3, 80 High Street, EH1 1TH
£5 / 0845 508 8316
Counter Culture 
Dave said
Not allowing freedom of speech is a totalitarian concept to stifle opposition. Unless you are free to say what you want, there is no opposition. Those offended by it can simply walk away and refuse to listen, nobody is forcing them to stay.
the word “racist” has been over-used recently, quite often in response to those who speak out about overpopulation in the UK now. Unless simple mathematics, (2 into 1 doesn’t go) has become a race issue, I don’t see how the word applies. But that is how our freedom of speech is being diminished.
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