Trial by Laughter
by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, Watermill Theatre, Newbury
Rating: 
Two centuries late, the forgotten father of British Press freedoms (such as they are) has been honoured with a sparky historical comedy co-written by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.
William Hone was a threadbare London pamphleteer who in December 1817 was persecuted and prosecuted for seditious libel and blasphemy. The Crown claimed to be shocked by his spoofs of the Book of Common Prayer and Hone was tried and acquitted at three court hearings – on three successive days.
Much of this play is set in the courtroom. Dry legal argument? Not a bit of it. Snorting defiance is done with gusto. The burbling dissent of the public galleries in the court echoes round the tiny auditorium of the Watermill Theatre near Newbury. And there are scenes of cartooned satire – perhaps rather overdone – from the boudoir of the grotesque Prince Regent whom Hone was criticising.
A cartoon sketch of William Hone who was a threadbare London pamphleteer who in December 1817 was persecuted and prosecuted for seditious libel and blasphemy
Trial by laughter is co-written by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop (pictured) and Nick Newman
Defending himself to the point of physical and mental exhaustion after hours of argument, Hone (played with charm by Joseph Prowen amid a busy and energetic cast) scored a thrilling hat-trick of legal victories. The Law was made to look an ass and if the details in this play are correct, a crowd of 20,000 people gathered outside Guildhall awaiting word of the not-guilty verdicts, which were an unexpected slap in the chops for the Establishment and set important precedent for freedom of expression.
Mr Hislop, himself often hauled before the beaks for libel, is plainly in hero- worship mode. Nothing wrong with that. Hone’s mistreatment by the early 19th century’s legal establishment was outrageous. We see bent judges and amoral lawyers. Gasp. Fancy such things being possible.
Given that this is a play in part about favouritism, I should declare an interest: I have known Hislop for years. And I was slightly looking forward to giving this show a critical drubbing. Alas, it is irritatingly g
Linkhienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/25/defiance-and-satire-done-with-gusto-quentin-letts-reviews-trial-by-laughter/
Main photo article Trial by Laughter
by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, Watermill Theatre, Newbury
Rating:
Two centuries late, the forgotten father of British Press freedoms (such as they are) has been honoured with a sparky historical comedy co-written by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.
William Hone ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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