August 11, 2012  

Top Hat

I went to the musical, Top Hat, last week. Great stuff.

I am a bit of a fan of Astaire and Rogers and was a little concerned that the show could not possibly compare with the film. But I was wrong – scintillating stuff, imaginatively staged and beautifully played – especially by Ginger Rogers/Summer Strallen. The second act staged in Venice could not quite compare with either the first act set in London or the film version but that is a harsh judgement on a great show.

Interesting though that the West End should be playing Singin’ in the Rain and Top Hat – the two greatest films from the two most brilliant dancers, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly – right now. Many have made the point that the great Hollywood era of musicals and comedies coincided with the great Depression – even if Singin’ made in 1952 is a bit outside the period. And now as the world faces the greatest financial storm since then we have these two revivals and the Olympics. As Nero said about the plebs of Rome – give ’em bread and circuses.

One thing in common  in both crises is and was a Conservative Government pursuing negative, cutting policies. Cameron and Osborne do not understand that reducing demand  by cutting Government spending does nothing but worsen the crisis. In the thirties, of course, GB finally moved out of the depression not by worrying about debt but by responding to the threat from Nazi Germany. Our parents and grandparents did not worry about the national debt – thank goodness and had no choice but to leave the next generation to pay off war-time debt, which we only completed about 10 years ago.

Heaven forbid – we don’t need war but we do need to get rid of this incompetent, deeply reactionary Government as soon as possible. After the Olympics the economy is going to be in serious need of stimulation and if we are to avoid a triple dip recession then we need aggressive investment and a quick reversal of all Osborn’s cuts.

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About Tony Belton

Labour Councillor for Latchmere Ward 1972-2022, now Battersea Park Ward, London Borough of Wandsworth Ever hopeful Spurs supporter; Lane visit to the Lane, 1948 Olympics. Why don't they simply call the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, The Lane? Once understood IT but no longer

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