David Hare's 1975 play Teeth 'n' Smiles, a nihilistic tale of a hippie band imploding in a trail of drugs, booze, and violence, is being revived in London's West End with musician Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, playing the lead role of Maggie Frisby. As reported by The Guardian, the play's themes of disillusionment and the darker side of the music industry are just as relevant today as they were when the play first premiered.
The original production, which starred Helen Mirren as Maggie Frisby, was a hit, with Hare recalling that it "blew such a hole in the respectability of the Royal Court, which was a very puritanical theatre." The play's success was not just due to its shocking content, but also its ability to tap into the mood of the time, with Hare noting that it was "in touch with the mood of a particular time" and that he didn't expect it to be revived.
However, Taylor believes that the play's themes are timeless, and that it speaks to the current state of the music industry. "The way I feel about my actual life is so mirrored in this play," she says. "It just mirrors what the music industry today is like." Hare agrees, noting that the play's exploration of the "mundanity and weirdness" of life on tour, and the lack of care for performers, is still relevant today.
The Play's Inspirations
Hare's inspirations for the play were varied, including his memory of seeing a "grumpy, angry, miserable" Manfred Mann perform at a Cambridge May ball, and his own experiences as a member of Portable Theatre, a travelling company that toured England in a van. He also drew on his equivocal view of the 60s counterculture, which he saw as both liberating and limiting.
The play's music, which has been updated by Taylor with new songs and lyrics, is also a key part of its appeal. Hare notes that he wanted to create a play that incorporated rock music without cheating, and that the format of the play, which shows the band's performances and the drama that unfolds behind the scenes, was a way of achieving this.
The Play's Prophetic Vision
One of the most striking aspects of Teeth 'n' Smiles is its prophetic vision of the punk movement, which was just beginning to emerge when the play premiered in 1975. Hare notes that the play's themes of nihilism and rebellion, as well as its critique of the music industry, were all part of the punk ethos. The play's characters, including the band's manager Saraffian, who is obsessed with the 50s British pop world and revels in his image as an avaricious conman, also prefigure the punk movement's anti-establishment stance.
Taylor, who is playing the role of Maggie Frisby, sees the character as a symbol of hope and fearlessness in a chaotic world. "She gives me hope," Taylor says. "Maggie can see it's not working, it's not going to work, it's all bullshit. But her thirst for experience is something I remember feeling, and I must worship that feeling to keep it in mind." Hare, on the other hand, is more ambivalent about the play's reception, noting that he is "absolutely terrified" of how it will be received 50 years on.
The Play's Relevance Today
Despite the passage of time, Teeth 'n' Smiles remains a powerful and thought-provoking play that speaks to the current state of the music industry and society as a whole. As Taylor notes, the play's themes of disillusionment and rebellion are just as relevant today as they were in 1975. The play's exploration of the music industry's darker side, including the exploitation of performers and the prioritization of profit over art, is also a timely commentary on the current state of the music business.
Taylor's own experiences in the music industry have given her a unique perspective on the play's themes. "I thought that working hard and being a good musician would be enough, and it hasn’t been, because of TikTok and AI and the conveyor-belt nature of music now," she says. "I believe in the album format, I believe in 12 tracks that take you through something. I couldn’t be more extinct if I tried, now." Hare's observations on the music industry are also insightful, noting that the play's portrayal of the band's manager Saraffian, who is obsessed with the 50s British pop world, is a commentary on the ways in which the music industry can stifle creativity and originality.
Conclusion
Teeth 'n' Smiles is a play that continues to resonate with audiences today, its themes of disillusionment and rebellion remaining as relevant as ever. With its powerful performances, updated music, and thought-provoking commentary on the music industry, the play is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of music and society. As Hare notes, the play's energy is "quite frightening, it's quite alarming," but it is also a testament to the enduring power of rock 'n' roll to challenge and subvert the status quo.
