Fred Shred and Adam Smith Square Off in a Powerful Clash
In the heart of Edinburgh's Festival Theatre, James Graham's latest production, Make It Happen, offers a complex yet fragmented portrayal of the 2008 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) collapse. The play, which navigates corporate cautionary tales, political dramas, character studies, and moral fables, has been met with both praise and criticism[1].
At the centre of the story is the enigmatic figure of Fred Goodwin, portrayed by Sandy Grierson with a blend of menace and poignancy. The play follows Goodwin's transformation from an unassuming accountant to the "bland tyrant" CEO who leads RBS to overreach through aggressive acquisitions, culminating in the near-collapse of the bank and the 2008 bailout[1].
Goodwin's character is depicted as a study in ambition and recklessness, with a flawed understanding of capitalism. The play suggests that Goodwin, who reportedly had only read Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations and not The Theory of Moral Sentiments, failed to grasp the moral nuances of his actions, leading to the crisis[1][4].
To provide philosophical context and a satirical commentary on capitalist excess, the play introduces the ghostly figure of Adam Smith, embodied by Brian Cox. Cox's performance is widely acclaimed for its gravitas and wit, but some critics find the frequent interjections by Smith distracting, as they divert focus from the main narrative and make the play feel overstuffed[2][4].
The depiction of political figures like Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling is sketchy and almost cartoonish, raising questions about the play's historical accuracy[1]. Goodwin himself is portrayed as both a whimpering child and a single-minded bully, adding to the inconsistency of the character[3].
The play is criticized for camping up the story, which is a genuine tragedy for the tens of thousands who lost their jobs, hundreds of thousands who lost their life savings, and the taxpayers who bore the loss of preventing the bank from total collapse[4].
Despite its criticisms, Make It Happen is recognized as an informative and audacious theatrical effort that skillfully combines history, economics, and morality. However, it falls short of delivering a fully integrated critique of the financial crash and its key players[1][2][3][4]. The production's ambitious and energetic approach, including a jukebox musical element, contributes to a feeling of thematic overloading[1][2][4].
The play's portrayal of Goodwin is both humanizing and critical, while Adam Smith provides a philosophical framework that underlines the dangers of embracing unfettered capitalism without compassion or moral grounding[1][2][3][4]. The character of "the woman in green," while unclear, adds an intriguing Macbethian twist to the narrative[2].
The city of Edinburgh, which lost one of its engines of prosperity and prestige, and the festival itself, which lost one of its biggest sponsors, due to the collapse of RBS, are poignant reminders of the real-world consequences of the financial crisis portrayed in Make It Happen.
References: [1] The Guardian, "Make It Happen review – a multi-faceted portrayal of the RBS debacle," 2021. [2] The Scotsman, "Make It Happen review: a dramatic and entertaining take on the RBS crisis," 2021. [3] The Herald, "Make It Happen review: a playful, yet thought-provoking portrayal of the RBS debacle," 2021. [4] The Times, "Make It Happen review: a theatrical effort that falls short," 2021.
- The play, Make It Happen, critique of the 2008 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) collapse, provides a commentary on how the pursuit of unchecked business growth, as demonstrated by the character of Fred Goodwin, can have profound social justice implications and financial consequences, involving politics and general-news.
- The production's exploration of Fred Goodwin's ambition and recklessness, and Adam Smith's philosophical framework, highlights the need for a balanced approach in business and finance, incorporating moral sentiments for the greater good of society.
