PLAYING WITH FIRE

the long version

"When the defiantly northern Wyverdale District Council fails to satisfy a government audit, a New Labour fixer is despatched from the capital to formulate a robust recovery plan. But resources spent on websites, 'faith festivals' and council leaflets in Bengali seem beside the point to the Labour old guard, struggling as they are to provide basic services to an alienated and divided electorate." "What looks at first like a topical satire of contrasting attitudes between north and south, old and new Labour, mushy peas and guacamole, quickly becomes a chilling drama about multicultural Britain, in which racial tensions can soar and good intentions have fatal consequences." "Premiered in the National's Olivier Theatre, Playing with Fire marks a return to the subject matter David Edgar first explored in his breakthrough play, Destiny."--Jacket.