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Performers
They Don’t Think They’re Gonna Let You Stay in the Film Business
Performers deals with masculinity at the point when the sexual revolution was saturating culture. For many working-class men, it was confusing and threatening. As secularism started to replace traditional Judaeo-Christian attitudes, a lot of men found themselves torn between embracing the liberation and clinging to the simpler, more morally binary past.
In the swinging and hallucinogenic London of 1968, visionary Scottish filmmaker Donald Cammell joined forces with cinematographer Nicolas Roeg to make “Performance”. The film would star James Fox, Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg, but the casting process was frustrating for Cammell because he insisted on bringing “real villains” into the roles that supported the lead character of South London gangster Chas Devlin.
David Litvinoff, a chameleon like character who bridged the worlds of rock and roll and organized crime, was employed as dialogue coach because of his connections and he set about introducing “real villains” to Donald Cammell. What started out as an acting vehicle for Mick Jagger soon took detours as Cammell began experimenting with the script. He developed the theme of dualism and became inspired by the writings of Borges and the paintings of Francis Bacon. Violence, psychedelic drugs, sex and a homo-erotic subtext became enmeshed in a story about the fracturing of the male psyche. David Litvinoff persuaded many London criminals to audition for roles in the film.
Performers is the story of two of them. On release, “Performance” was disowned by Warner Brothers, refused distribution, banned in certain countries and attacked by the mainstream media over its gratuitous sex, violence and illicit drug consumption. “Performance” did however go on to become a critical success and remains a cult classic. The filming took its toll on those involved though, most notably James Fox, who suffered a nervous breakdown and retired from acting for a period of time. Many believe that this was a result of Fox’s method acting and his submergence in the London criminal underworld in preparation for the role, which Cammell enthusiastically encouraged. Today the film is cited as a huge influence on director Martin Scorsese and many other filmmakers and has gained a place in pop culture as the “coolest” and most accurate portrayal of swinging London ever documented.
“Performers” is a dark, subtle comedy with a cast of 4. A play of one scene, that narrates the story of two unwitting gangsters who find themselves auditioning for a part in the film. Homoerotic in parts, somewhat misogynistic, packed full of cultural reference points from the swinging sixties, the play presents an altogether inspiring twist on a classic casting couch situation.
Performers deals with masculinity at the point when the sexual revolution was saturating culture. For many working-class men, it was confusing and threatening. As secularism started to replace traditional Judaeo-Christian attitudes, a lot of men found themselves torn between embracing the liberation and clinging to the simpler, more morally binary past.
In the swinging and hallucinogenic London of 1968, visionary Scottish filmmaker Donald Cammell joined forces with cinematographer Nicolas Roeg to make “Performance”. The film would star James Fox, Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg, but the casting process was frustrating for Cammell because he insisted on bringing “real villains” into the roles that supported the lead character of South London gangster Chas Devlin.
David Litvinoff, a chameleon like character who bridged the worlds of rock and roll and organized crime, was employed as dialogue coach because of his connections and he set about introducing “real villains” to Donald Cammell. What started out as an acting vehicle for Mick Jagger soon took detours as Cammell began experimenting with the script. He developed the theme of dualism and became inspired by the writings of Borges and the paintings of Francis Bacon. Violence, psychedelic drugs, sex and a homo-erotic subtext became enmeshed in a story about the fracturing of the male psyche. David Litvinoff persuaded many London criminals to audition for roles in the film.
Performers is the story of two of them. On release, “Performance” was disowned by Warner Brothers, refused distribution, banned in certain countries and attacked by the mainstream media over its gratuitous sex, violence and illicit drug consumption. “Performance” did however go on to become a critical success and remains a cult classic. The filming took its toll on those involved though, most notably James Fox, who suffered a nervous breakdown and retired from acting for a period of time. Many believe that this was a result of Fox’s method acting and his submergence in the London criminal underworld in preparation for the role, which Cammell enthusiastically encouraged. Today the film is cited as a huge influence on director Martin Scorsese and many other filmmakers and has gained a place in pop culture as the “coolest” and most accurate portrayal of swinging London ever documented.
“Performers” is a dark, subtle comedy with a cast of 4. A play of one scene, that narrates the story of two unwitting gangsters who find themselves auditioning for a part in the film. Homoerotic in parts, somewhat misogynistic, packed full of cultural reference points from the swinging sixties, the play presents an altogether inspiring twist on a classic casting couch situation.
- GenresPlays
150 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2021
23 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Irvine Welsh
128 books7,645 followersProbably most famous for his gritty depiction of a gang of Scottish Heroin addicts, Trainspotting (1993), Welsh focuses on the darker side of human nature and drug use. All of his novels are set in his native Scotland and filled with anti-heroes, small time crooks and hooligans. Welsh manages, however to imbue these characters with a sad humanity that makes them likable despite their obvious scumbaggerry. Irvine Welsh is also known for writing in his native Edinburgh Scots dialect, making his prose challenging for the average reader unfamiliar with this style.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 26, 2021
Uma peça dinâmica e divertida, com toda a ação acontecendo em um único lugar, entre quatro personagens; ver no palco deve ser uma experiência boa. Várias gírias e expressões inglesas da década de 60/70. Me deu saudade de ver Performance.
June 24, 2022
I'm not in the habit of reading many plays and I've never actually seen Performance, but stumbled upon this one by Irvine Welsh and Dean Cavanagh and couldn't resist reading. It's a funny, engaging read about two "Chaps", or gangsters as they might more recognisably be known, auditioning for parts in the film, Performance.
Alf is in his fifties and the moodier Bert is in his mid-30s with different dispositions on life and notably art. The play is humourous throughout with the characters having distinct voices and gestures throughout.
I think this would have been a joy to see performed and I would recommend to anybody with more than a passing interest in Welsh's work.
Alf is in his fifties and the moodier Bert is in his mid-30s with different dispositions on life and notably art. The play is humourous throughout with the characters having distinct voices and gestures throughout.
I think this would have been a joy to see performed and I would recommend to anybody with more than a passing interest in Welsh's work.
October 11, 2021
When a couple of gangsters are asked to audition for parts in the film 'Performance', it sparks a crisis of conscience as they are forced to confront their sexuality and their comfort with the artistic vision for the film with that ponce Mick Jagger in it.
Strangely tense and concerned with secrets, lies and blackmail, 'Performers' is a thought provoking play by Welsh and Cavanagh.
Strangely tense and concerned with secrets, lies and blackmail, 'Performers' is a thought provoking play by Welsh and Cavanagh.
September 22, 2021
Can hardly believe I finished this. And before you go thinking that he's just not the right author for me, Irvine Welsh is my favorite author of all time. This thing... I'm confused why it even got put into print. Boring, not funny, and absolutely goes nowhere.
August 22, 2021
Amo humor britânico! Essa peça foi super divertida e rápida de ler, gostei demais da escrita e do tema da história, assim como desse momento cultural que ela aborda do final dos anos sessenta.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews