Arts Theatre , London. 6th February-Sat 23 Feb 2008, 19:30
Having read Craig Murray’s book, Murder in Samarkand, about his experiences as British Ambassador in Uzbekistan, when I saw the photo (above) publicising a play to be performed by his then mistress, Nadira, I thought the extent to which they seem willing to expose their relationship to public gaze could be embarrassing. However the play's title and the publicity photo above are intentionally ironic.
Craig’s book was written with the intention of awakening a greater political awareness of the British Government’s willingness to condone the use of intelligence gained under torture by states such as Uzbekistan. As the Foreign Office had used details about Craig's personal life in the attempt to discredit him, I wondered where the play would fit into the picture. How strange to want to perform one’s life story on stage? Evidently not, if one is Nadira. She comes from a theatre family in Uzbekistan and having just completed an acting course in London, this is the showcase she needs in order to attract further roles. She is a highly intelligent young woman and plays herself with professional skill.
Although in the play there is some voice-over from Craig about violent abuses in Uzbekistan, Nadira tells the story of the turning points in her life in an intensely personal way, revealing how she sought to maintain her integrity in adverse circumstances. It throws light on the vulnerability of citizens in any corrupt dictatorship and for women in particular, where a police check can bring the danger of rape. Her family fell on very hard times to the extent that at ten years old she was pushing drugs to raise money for food, the same drugs that were turning her addicted father into a monster. Somehow she managed to complete a university course but to support herself she took a job as a dancer in a nightclub.
It was there that Craig Murray entered her life. Her performance as a belly dancer at the end of the show gives a clear indication of how he was initially attracted to her but nobody in the very British audience, crowded on three sides of the tiny theatre, tucked money in her knickers or her bra! Quite rightly so, as in this context her dance is not just for sexual display, it is a celebration of the fact that in this country she has the opportunity to be more herself and free from fear.
We learn that after she had disposed of two boyfriends and Craig had separated from his wife, she enjoyed a brief spell as his consort at the British Embassy but since he was forced to abandon his diplomatic career, they now find themselves trying to make ends meet in a rented flat in Shepherds Bush.
There is to be a film of the story directed by Michael Winterbottom (who made A Mighty Heart about the kidnap of Daniel Pearl),scripted by David Hare. Will it succeed in bringing the serious political message to a wider audience or just be taken as a sensational story?