bristol demo, new f4j tuesday 7pm 10th MArch

**haahoo** · 9th-March-2009

Bristol Old Vic demo at 7pm this Tuesday, March 10th. - New Fathers 4 Justice

Short notice I know, but hey!

(only just found out about this!)

As a forerunner to a national campaign of direct action,
New Fathers 4 Justice will limber up with a "peaceful" but noisy, demonstration outside the Old Vic Theatre in Bristol.

The Old Vic Theatre Bristol

The demonstration will surf on the publicity of the high profile play by Catherine Johnstone on the plight of Dads trying to see their children.

This will be a standard information demo, whereby the public will be informed of the extent of the injustice with today's family law.

Please bring your superhero suits and some buckets, as we shall also be collecting money for other stunts etc. I shall supply the banner and loudhailer.

Please meet at the Bristol Old Vic at 7pm this Tuesday, March 10th.

If you can't come, then please spread the word. Please see info below on background of this demo and TV clip of the play.

DIRECTION TO THE VIC.

BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE
36 King Street
Bristol, BS1 4DZ

Bristol Old Vic | Directions

We will also have a meeting after the Demo

Many thanks,

Nigel

.................................................. ..................................

Suspension at Bristol Old Vic - review
Suspension brings life and energy to the Bristol Old Vic.

By Charles Spencer
Last Updated: 3:06PM GMT 03 Mar 2009

BBC NEWS | UK | Mamma Mia writer's new creation

It has been an unhappy couple of years for the Bristol Old Vic, Britain’s oldest working theatre. Its artistic director, Simon Reade, was sent packing and major refurbishment work was suddenly deemed both essential and urgent.

The theatre went dark for 18 months, and there was serious doubt about its future.

Now things are beginning to stir at last. A new artistic director has been appointed – Tom Morris, a lively associate director of the National Theatre with a sharp eye for innovation.

And though the theatre won’t be back to full operation for some time, the Studio is back in business with this new play from Catherine Johnson, local girl, a member of the theatre’s board and author of the world-conquering Abba hit Mamma Mia! Johnson began her career at the Bristol Old Vic and I suspect she could become a vital catalyst in the theatre’s desperately needed regeneration.

Suspension is a typically robust and humane piece, though not in quite the same league as Mamma Mia! or her deliciously filthy holiday camp comedy, Shang-A-Lang.

F4J Bristol suspension bridge protest

The piece is firmly rooted in Bristol, with much of the action set on the Clifton suspension bridge, where two desperate men are protesting over access to their children in a piece evidently inspired by Fathers 4 Justice.

Gerry has turned up in morning suit and top hat because he has lost contact with his 20-year-old daughter, Jemma, and hasn’t been invited to her wedding, which is taking place at the adjacent Avon Gorge Hotel. He has a big banner asking her to phone him that will be visible to the wedding guests.

But his plans are nearly scuppered by Dean, a younger man who has come to jump from this favoured suicide spot after been denied access to his infant son. Gerry saves him from the death plunge and the pair end up handcuffed to each other for the rest of the play. Meanwhile Jemma’s mum, Anita, is doing her damndest to ensure her daughter doesn’t witness her dad’s protest.

Like Mamma Mia!, Suspension focuses on the pain of broken families, and Johnson gives the absentee fathers a notably fair hearing. But the dramatic tone is curiously uncertain. Johnson’s raucous, ribald humour gives way to sudden shafts of deeper feeling that veer perilously close to manipulative sentimentality, while the final macabre twist is so momentous that it makes the earlier comedy seem merely cheap.

Heather Williams directs a punchy production, however, with a cast of native Bristolians who get the city’s distinctive accent just right. Louise Plowright gives a hilarious performance of mutton masquerading as lamb as the bride’s endlessly harassed mother. April Pearson is sweet and touching as the girl who finds her wedding day in ruins, and there are strong performances from James Lailey and Stuart McLoughlin as the desperate dads, and from Rosalind March as a terrifyingly feckless old slapper.

Not a great play certainly, but one that positively crackles with life and energy.

Tickets: 0117 987 7877

**Marx** · 9th-March-2009

The lack of forewarning is a major issue. Bristol is about 2hours, and if I had a little more notice, as is the case for many I'm sure, I could have put some fuel money aside... with less than 24hrs notice though in conjunction with no money until Wednesday the 11th...

**haahoo** · 10th-March-2009

Quote from Marx

The lack of forewarning is a major issue. Bristol is about 2hours, and if I had a little more notice, as is the case for many I'm sure, I could have put some fuel money aside... with less than 24hrs notice though in conjunction with no money until Wednesday the 11th...

Yes. I would have made plans somewhat differently and squeezed this in myself too if I had had a few days notice more..

Not sure I fancy sticking another 400 miles on the clock having just done that the last few days..

Oddly enough though marx, your directly en route for me, so if you fancy a trip down, give us a shout, might be worth the trip in that case!

**julie** · 10th-March-2009

Can you keep us posted Haahoo with things during and after the event?

This group sounds like they are going places.

**haahoo** · 10th-March-2009

Aye. Newf4j are the latest re-incarnation of "old" f4j.. They are a more open form of group that the "real" f4j and the "old" f4j (which is no longer active of course and merely a cash collection website for matt oconnor now in reality)

..

The new f4j lads are folk that were originally in f4j but have tried to keep going without matt o connors leadership since he quit.

**Marx** · 10th-March-2009

What times... and will i need to take sandwiches (no money for food until Wed)? I can repay you with a guided tour of my abode and coffee - no sex though, not on a first date.

**haahoo** · 10th-March-2009

Quote from Marx

What times... and will i need to take sandwiches (no money for food until Wed)? I can repay you with a guided tour of my abode and coffee - no sex though, not on a first date.

haha! yes, well, I guess if its 2 hours then 5 pm should do it?

Might be worth taking some butties, Ill get my housekeeper on the job, Ill be able to get the ales in or fish & chips or whatever if needed..

Anyway marx, its our second date...

**Marx** · 10th-March-2009

Julie, your questions are here:
http://antimisandry.com/help-status/...rch-18980.html

**julie** · 10th-March-2009

Quote from Marx

Julie, your questions are here:
http://antimisandry.com/help-status/...rch-18980.html

Thanks Marx. Man, I am sorry to get wound up about little things like this.

**haahoo** · 16th-March-2009

News article here:-

http://www.newfathers4justice.com/nf...est%20News.htm

Well, after arranging the logistics of our journey, and getting lost several times enroute Marx and I finally arrived at the location just in time to miss the press! (Hence, we are not in any pics!).

The event, was more low key than I expected, turnout was no more than a handful. I was certainly expecting to see more folk, but it was good to see Jason Hatch, famed palace climber again..

Certainly, not the "noisy" demo as was expected, very quiet and peaceable and owing to a "low traffic" location few folk were passing, but they were mostly, as is usually the case, supportive..

Again, it was notable just how many women seem to support the cause, particularly young women, (not that our rather fetching hero outfits were an influence here I would say!)...

One of the interesting remarks was made, that whenever a couple walked by, would the "neutuered pet" be allowed to take an interest by his female owner? Or would he be hurried along in case he got influenced by some truth!

The expected "meeting" after the event,. basically didnt happen..

But, we had a drink with a couple of chaps in the local bar and it was interesting and informative to exhange experiences etc, as is usually the case!

It is good to see that there are still folk who will carry the banner, but it is also, hard to admit, but very sad, that post-matt oconnor "f4j", fractured and split, seems to be a much reduced force, to say the least..

More supporters are needed without doubt.

If the street presence and protestors/activist at demos force dissapears entirely, we will left with nothing but the moderates with their decades old failed approaches of appeasing the state and getting nowhere..

**Percy** · 16th-March-2009

It is good to see that there are still folk who will carry the banner, but it is also, hard to admit, but very sad, that post-matt oconnor "f4j", fractured and split, seems to be a much reduced force, to say the least..

More supporters are needed without doubt.

I was there in Spirit ! (On it in fact. Actually I have posted my activity on the Spirit of Tasmania ship elsewhere.)

Re the quote, yes it is sad and maybe a lesson can be learned.

Before Caesar is knifed on the steps, make sure there is a better man to put in his place - otherwise you end up with a friggin' horse in charge and chaos ensues.

It is a problem in the MRM that we want perfect leaders who agree with everything we say and want. It ain't going to happen.

A reasonable chap, a passable leader, is better than NO LEADER at all.

**Percy** · 16th-March-2009

(not that our rather fetching hero outfits were an influence here I would say!)...

Ahh, the hero outfits.

I tried to post my pamphlet (one I used on the boat) on the Activism area - but that friggin' area won't take bb code! Anyway it was about Superman ........

Superman seeks Justice

Superman has been missing from Action for several years now. People watch the skies and their calls for help go unanswered. “Where are you, Superman”, they cry.

Something Changed.

He found love in the arms of work-experience journalist, Lois Lane. “Oh, Superman, you are so Super”, she sighed. “You’re pretty good yourself. Lois” he reassured her,

“even if I am carrying the Problems of the World on my Super shoulders”.

They settled down to married life together. Of all the places in the world to live she chose Tasmania. “I feel so Safe at Home here”, she said.

“But I can make sure you are safe anywhere, Lois” he offered, “I am the Super-guy that helps everyone. I am even coaching the kiddies footy and building a new church from recycled string.

“Ah, but Darling, you don’t want to make me mad, do you?”, she argued. So they moved to Moonah. And it hasn’t been happy-ever-after for you or him. Happiness didn’t last long.

“Oh, Superman, you take so little notice of me”,

she cried after two months.

“Its been one disaster after another. What about meeee?”

“You belittle my important career”, she complained. “You never take me flying anymore; you refused to beat-up that nasty sub-editor who rewrote my article on Women’s Rights; you think more about saving foreigners’ lives than doing the hoovering and why do you tell me not to iron your underpants?”

Superman took to hoovering and speaking stern words to meek sub-editors and rescheduled his arrival at some of the smaller train crashes and minor earthquakes.

He tried to fit an hour or two’s flying for Lois, building up to daily around the world trips to shopping Malls in Dubai and Rome. But Lois became even more unhappy and phoned the cops “Oh, help me, please, Superman ‘looked’ at me and it ruined my hair”.

The cops waited until Superman returned from a Tsunami in Asia where he blew back the wave, and catching him by surprise they Maced him. It took 15 of them, with dogs, and three Taser shots to subdue him.

They waved the ‘Safe at Home Act’ in his face.

“Gotcha, Superman, ya barstard. Ya missus told us all about how you beat her up and won’t let her work. And she say’s you deliberately make a crap job of the ironing.

Its the pokey for you, sunshine”.

“But Officer”, protested Superman”, I didn’t. I don’t need

creases in my undies”

‘Resisting arrest, ya barstard.!! We don’t need evidence”, they cried. They put their size 10 boots in, handcuffed him with Kryptonite

and threw him in the Jailhouse.

The Official Response.

It took three months in the pokey, as bail wasn’t allowed under the Act that made Lois ‘feel’ safe, before Superman’s arse was hauled before the Magistrate. Half an hour of Lois’s imaginary complaints were heard.

She used her journalistic skills. Inventive.

“He neglected me, preferring to spend a whole day with 2000 Brazilian hussies and their children in a mud slide. And he was away all night cavorting with some Armenian hussies just because a tiny earthquake knocked a house or two down. He’s MY Superman. But he gives me these ‘looks’ whenever I try to communicate my feelings”

The Magistrate listened carefully. “You have correctly followed the Procedures,

Poor Woman”, he said. “What a brute”.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE, the headlines read. Another $73 million of taxpayers’ money was ordered to be spent on Domestic Violence advertisments for the tele.

“Superman ABUSES WOMEN”, said the next day’s Mercury headlines. Several other women came forward, all claiming that Superman had ‘looked’ at them too. A police Benchmark was set to arrest 100 men a month wearing underpants outside their trousers.

“PERVERTS in MOONAH”, said the sub-editor, trying to get back in Lois’s good books. She was promoted for his creativity.

Bank robbery investigations were rescheduled by the Commissioner of Police, and Myer’s Menswear Dept was staked out for eight months around the clock by a team of SWAT cops.

There were no reports of the following Family Court hearings (forbidden, of course, under the Family Law Act) after Superman had an Apprehended Violence Order imposed and was forbidden to use any powers that could be possibly used within 15,000 kms of Lois’s home: the one he’d bought. He lost that. And the furniture. She demanded a car too saying she needed one as she was used to travel. He was ordered to provide. Thankfully there were no children or it would have been the last time he saw them. Far too dangerous.

His lawyer billed him for 220 hours work at $350 an hour. + phones.

And for her costs too.

Broke and homeless, without a licence to use his skills, forbidden to fly anywhere, even ‘look’, his body declared a ‘weapon’, Superman deteriorated quickly.

Faster than a speeding bullet, in fact.

He was even drummed out of the local Mensa chapter.

“Lois lied” he said to anyone who’d listen.

But as Judy Jackson the AG had said,

“Complain? Well of course he complains. He’s just a man”.

The DPP, President of the Law Council and Supreme Court Judge, the same.

Men!!(tm)

Feminazi Judy left Office with a taxpayer funded, year’s supply of booze.

The Laws Stayed

To be a Man in Tasmania, is not Safe.

Even Superman is dispossessed

Just on an Accusation. Lies do Fine.