THE greatest catastrophe in human history, the narrator says on a projected video, is “the lie that women have been oppressed”. Another warns of the “feminist lynch mobs” of the #MeToo movement.
These excerpts are from the online world of the men’s rights movement and, although simplistic, such attitudes have real-life consequences, from the rise of the populist right in Europe to the election of Donald Trump.
An unshowy, electrifying one-hander, Angry Alan stars Donald Sage Mackay as Roger, a put-upon middle manager at Safeway.
Logging on to AngryAlan.com is like Leo taking the red pill in The Matrix, Roger says, allowing him to see the world as it really is. Now he can help the pushback against the “feminazis” and “libtards” who have made his life a misery – by donating to AngryAlan.com.
Returning to the Fringe for the first time since her impressive 2009 debut play F***ed, writer Penelope Skinner dissects how extremism fills the cracks caused by a confusing world and precarious, low-paid work.
It’s a master-class in economy, empathy and lightness of touch, both in terms of addressing a complex phenomenon and as a piece of taut, gut-punching writing.
Until Aug 26 (not 13), Underbelly Cowgate, 3.20pm (1hr), £12 to £14. Tel: 0131 510 0395. Tickets: bit.ly/AngryAlan #AngryAlan @chescmood @followthecow
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