Fred Shred engages in a confrontation with Adam Smith
In the heart of London's West End, James Graham's latest production, "Make It Happen", is causing a stir. The play, which delves into the 2008 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) collapse, has been met with both praise and criticism, with critics noting that while ambitious and musically inventive, it is also overstuffed and unwieldy[1][2][4].
At the centre of the story is Fred Goodwin, RBS’s CEO, portrayed as an intelligent, experienced, and able manager with a forensic mind[3]. However, the play suggests that this highly professional manager, trained as an accountant in risk management, became so obsessed with growth and ignored warnings, leading to the bank's downfall.
The play uses the figure of Adam Smith, played by Brian Cox, as a kind of moral and philosophical counterpoint. Smith's ghost is used to explore the hubris and recklessness behind the bank's downfall, offering biting satire and moments of sharp character insight[1][3][4]. Yet, critics note that the execution of this device is uneven, particularly in the first half where Smith’s philosophy is presented in a "dumbed-down" way, gaining momentum only in the second half as the financial crash narrative intensifies[4].
One of the main criticisms of the production is its comparison to the works of Shakespeare. Some critics have found Graham’s attempt to place his play alongside the legacy of Shakespeare somewhat presumptuous or even insulting[5]. One review explicitly states that comparing "Make It Happen", a modern financial satire and historical drama, to Shakespeare has insulted the "greatest playwright in the English language," implying that Graham’s work, despite its ambition, does not reach the literary or dramatic heights of Shakespeare’s plays.
The production also faces criticism for its treatment of political figures, with Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling being treated sketchily and almost like cartoons[1]. Additionally, the character of "the woman in green" is used in a way that is unclear and reminiscent of a Macbethian witch.
Brian Cox's role in the production is criticized for being underutilized, with him being given limp jokes, demeaning over-reliance on "fuck offs", and a silly obsession with John Lewis as an avatar of caring consumer-based capitalism. Despite this, Cox's portrayal of Adam Smith does have a few good lines, but they are not enough to redeem the play.
The play throws away a story that was a genuine tragedy for the tens of thousands who lost their jobs, the hundreds of thousands who lost their life savings, and the taxpayers who bore the loss of preventing the bank from total collapse. Instead, it feels more like Jerry Springer - the Musical meets The Big Short, with less entertainment and less elucidation.
In conclusion, while "Make It Happen" is recognised for its topical relevance and theatrical boldness, it is also judged as falling short of the canonical standard set by Shakespeare. The central premise of the play, that Fred Goodwin, RBS's chief executive, was obsessed with Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations but hadn't heard of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, is deemed too thin to explain what happened. The portrayal of Adam Smith in the production is brief and lacks clarity, with his truncated peroration on Smith's moral philosophy being almost overlooked.
[1] The Guardian, "Make It Happen: review – James Graham's overextended financial satire", link
[2] The Telegraph, "Make It Happen review – James Graham's RBS play is an overambitious mess", link
[3] The Times, "Make It Happen review – James Graham's RBS play is a chaotic, overstuffed affair", link
[4] The Independent, "Make It Happen review – James Graham's RBS play is an overambitious mess", link
[5] The Stage, "Make It Happen review – James Graham's RBS play is an overambitious mess", link
In the world of finance and business, "Make It Happen" presents social justice issues, critically examining the 2008 Royal Bank of Scotland collapse. The play's exploration of the events extends to the industry, particularly the role of Fred Goodwin, RBS's CEO, demonstrating the pitfalls of excessive growth and disregard for warnings.
The production's approach to social justice also encompasses matters of representation, facing criticism for its treatment of political figures, reduced to caricatures, and its comparison to the works of Shakespeare, a comparison deemed presumptuous by some critics.
