For the Sake of Argument post-show talk at London’s Bridewell Theatre. © Peter Jones

Have you ever been powerfully persuaded by something you’ve read in a newspaper? Should journalists be held responsibility for the consequences of the articles they write?

Inspired by the late polemicist Christopher Hitchens and a real-life incident with one of his readers, For the Sake of Argument interrogates the power and danger of language, as one journalist’s words send a young man to the frontline in the Iraq War.

You know how to persuade

This provocative new play is written and directed by Harry Darell and produced by his company Admission Productions, founded in 2019. The story in the play is fictionalised. The journalist in question is Eleanor Hickok, a young female Tony Blair proselytiser who enjoys weekly debating competitions with her media friends. But Eleanor is forced to question her strongly held convictions when confronted by the family of the fallen soldier.

After last night’s performance, I was joined by Harry Darell and his ten-strong cast – Ashleigh Cole (who plays Eleanor), Lucia France, Arthur Velarde, Henry Eaton-Mercer, Greg Snowden, Ella May, Paula Cassina, Matt Weyland and, brothers onstage and off, Harry and Georgie Farmer – to discuss themes in the play and why, 17 years after the invasion of Iraq (and on Brexit eve), they take on new resonances in our polarised, social media-driven age.

We also discussed fun stuff including the challenges of a sand-filled set, the Victorian pool beneath the floor of the Bridewell Theatre, the proximity to Fleet Street, fraternal rivalry (and wrestling match commentary) and favourite debate topics (biscuits are hotly contested).

For the Sake of Argument runs at London’s Bridewell Theatre until 8 February 2020.


Q&A video

For the Sake of Argument: Post-show Q&A

Lots to talk about with Admission Productions' premiere of For the sake of argument-new play by Harry Darell 28th Jan 2020, now running at the Bridewell Theatre until 8 February.Inspired by the late polemicist Christopher Hitchens, For the Sake of Argument interrogates the power and danger of language, as one journalist’s words send a young man to the frontline in the Iraq War. Mates founder Terri Paddock Ltd chaired this fascinating post-show discussion with writer-director Harry Darell and the ten-strong cast, including real-life brothers Georgie Farmer and Harry Farmer performing together for the first time… playing brothers!

Posted by MyTheatreMates on Thursday, 30 January 2020
Watch and share on MyTheatreMates’ Facebook page

Q&A photos

Event photography by Peter Jones.


The inspiration

How much do you know about Christopher Hitchens and the real young soldier he inspired to enlist in the Iraq War? Mark Jennings Daily was killed in Iraq in 2007, Hitchens died from cancer in 2011.


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