Tooth of Crime

by Sam Shepard

directed by Jean Betts Unity Theatre

I don't know if this preview should be on the Rock or The Theatre pages. A few quotations from Plays and Players to show you what I mean "Rock audiences and Theatre audiences are miles apart. Considering the importance of rock in the work of performers such as Pip Simmons and Lindsay Kemp......and the sucess of Hare's "Teeth and Smites" and Sam Shepard's "Tooth of Crime", straight plays set against a rock music millieu, it is odd that rigid sectional prejudice should still prevail."......and......"Theatre audiences are often more interested in words and dialogue than in spectcle, but the language of rock ... is by no means inane".

Now, Tooth of Crime, is a play. It depends on words and dialogue, and to an equal extent on on spectacle. What's more the words are written in the language of rock, and the result is far from inane. It is a complex serious play, and unlike other contemporary works written "in the modern idiom" its going to challenge and possibly offend you, not just your mum. In fact, if you find yourself sitting next to one of the Epitaph Riders, don't assume that he's the one looking out of place in the theatre. And if you're right up there in "knowing rock", you won't have to suspend that knowledge for this play, you just might have to work a bit to keep up.

If Johnny Rotten pisses you off by saying that The Stones are old hat, you might feel a touch uncomfortable about parts of this play. But I wouldn't let that put you off going. Salient (and I agree with them) have often knocked Downstage for presenting comfortable 'theater'. Usually we take the alternative to mean that which discomforts the "middle class' etc. and makes us feel shit hot. Tooth of Crime will drive the middle class out of Unity and it should make you feel a bit uneasy, but it will excite you as well. Like playing Russian Roulette with six bullets. Tooth of Crime opens at Unity on August 11th.

— Michael Wilson.