I went to the Tricycle Theatre again on Friday night - this time to see Justifying War - scenes from the Hutton Enquiry.
I would say that it was what the edited highlights of the judicial enquiry into the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly, the scientist/civil servant responsible for investigating weapons of mass destruction at the Ministry of Defense - would look like if the proceedings had been recorded. It was non-partizan.
What struck me about it was;-
1. The manner in which Foreign Minister, Jack Straw humiliated Kelly, by making a reference to his being some sort of junior in the civil service, whereas he was a very senior scientist and authority on his subject.
2. The extremely moving account of Mrs Kelly on the last few days of her husband's life and the understandable way he felt in the circumstances of a very sensitive, intelligent and modest man being suddenly cast into the media spotlight.
3. The very odd and vague testimony of Jeffrey Hoon, the Minister for Defense.
4. The power that the Blair's media advisor, Alistair Campbell had throughout (couldn't help thinking of Josef Goebbels - in an obviously much more grave situation).
5. The absence of the Blair questioning from the production.

After the play, I approached the Director, Nicholas Kent about this last point. He said that Blair didn't add anything of significance to the proceedings and to include him would just be sensationalist.
I am not so sure I agree with this. I feel that because Blair was the main instigator of Britain's going to war, his eminence gris should at least make an appearance.
Anyway, we found the production absorbing and quite moving.
Also had a pleasant drink with Joe and his good lady.