Journalism Onstage; David Hare dissects the lead-up to the war in Iraq.(Stuff Happens)(Theater Review)

Byline: Tara Pepper

Talk about biased reviewers. When British playwright David Hare's latest controversial offering, "Stuff Happens," previewed at London's National Theatre earlier this month, The Guardian newspaper broke with protocol and sent a stable of politicians and pundits to cover it. Their critiques of the play--about the run-up to the Iraq war--betrayed their varying political stances. "I might have said that 'Stuff Happens' is the most blatant subverting of art for the purposes of crude propaganda since that of Leni Riefenstahl," fumed Conservative M.P. Ann Widdicombe. "[B]ut there is no art involved." Col. Tim Collins, whose stirring speech to British troops on the eve of the Iraq invasion was widely published around the world, called it "thought-provoking," and wrote, "it reanimated the doubts over the reasons for war which I and millions have harboured over the past year."

Hare's play, which takes its title from U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's offhand explanation for looting by U.S. troops during the April 2003 invasion of Baghdad, has ruffled feathers and sparked debate. Is it art or propaganda? Journalism or theater? "Stuff Happens" not only helps us make sense of the overwhelming flood of information during the Iraq war; it has become news itself. Most compellingly, Hare melds reality with imagination, creating convincing glimpses of what might have happened behind the scenes. Alex Jennings's portrayal of George W. Bush is an intriguing new take on the president. Usually played abroad for cheap laughs as a warmongering Texan buffoon, Jennings's Bush listens carefully to his advisers. Though his vocabulary is often limited to "yeah" and his taste in food runs to fried chicken and cornbread, he is wily, decisive and commands respect.

While writing, Hare interviewed politicians and conducted painstaking research into original speeches and documents. The play reflects his approach, with spare staging and resonant monologues from diplomats better suited to a historical documentary than to a drama. Hare's willingness to explore every side of the arguments for and against war means "Stuff Happens" rises above the level of straight polemic. But not quite to ...