An interactive, street theatre and new writing project, led by professional artists and ACT UP activists that will be performed at the Conservative Party Conference.
NHS underfunding is killing people.
We demand:
an end to the deliberate underfunding of the NHS
a closure of the internal market, putting a stop to the increasing marketisation and privatisation of the NHS
the return of funds to the NHS taken from Virgin lawsuits
an end to the use of tax havens by any company contracted by the NHS
We will be bringing the VIRGIN SCARE HEALTH CHECKS to the Conservative Party Conference:
Virgin Scare Health Checks is a modern-day dystopian tragedy and camp spectacle created by the drag harbingers of fiscal human tyranny. The script is adapted from Virgin’s very own PR department, and delivered through a sequence of choreographed performances.
Virgin Scare hostesses will provide personalised health checks for select NHS customers over an insensitively loud tannoy system, as well as make announcements about healthcare cuts, ration surgery and extended waiting times for poorer invalids. They will also sell a range of luxury items such as dry crusts of bread, tepid tap water and vital, life-saving medicines.
And what will happen when an outbreak of a deadly supervirus threatens all aboard?
Can the negligent, responsible passengers be quarantined?
Fear not, shareholder profits will be delivered safely to the British Virgin Islands via the global banking system. But will anyone survive the emergency crash landing?
The Show
Virgin Scare Health Checks will be a highly interactive, community-driven performance and new writing project, led by ACT UP activists, that will be performed at the Conservative Party Conference in September 2019, it will be accessible to the public through street theatre and online videos
The performances will question the impact of the segregation of our healthcare system. We encourage those who access the NHS to act on its behalf, and save it from the swindlers.
NHS ANTI-SWINDLE TEAM
The NHS Anti-Swindle Team are an ACT UP LONDON campaign group. We are a grassroots collective of artists, activists and mischief-makers who use creative civil disobedience to fight for a publicly run NHS and oppose all forms of private company control in the NHS, with a particular interest in the racketeers who are profiteering from ill health. Check out our video about Virgin Care.
In 2018… The NHS Anti-Swindle Team protested Virgin Care’s takeover of NHS contacts and their complex tax affairs outside Virgin offices.
We held a birthday party outside the Department for Health where we sliced up the NHS cake.
We wrote and performed a song with Sam Lee’s protest group the Fire Choir.
We held a Privatisation Auction from the NHS Confederation Conference with the Greater Manchester Keep our NHS Public and the People's Assembly Manchester.
Dropped a banner with Docs not Cops outside parliament, calling on the government to end the hostile environment within healthcare.
This year, with your help we will be taking to the streets with highly interactive performance protest that continues to highlight the privatisation and marketisation of our healthcare system.
The Creative Team
Ray Malone - Performer/ Director. Ray co-founded the NHS Anti-Swindle Team with award winning ACT UP LONDON activist Dan Glass.
Arkem Walton - LISPA training cabaret performer and character in life.
Charmaine Wombwell - LISPA trained actor and Sign Language Performer.
Tom O'Dwyer - Video and Editing
ACT UP London Activists - The original creative activists, fighting for healthcare not wealthcare since 1987
WE HAVE NO CASH - unlike Virgin Care who have loads.
Can you help us?
WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO?
Creative Fees
The scope of this project requires funding to pay the creative team, make costumes and rehearsal space. We need your help to make this happen.
Fees are set at the Real London Living Wage £100 per day
3 actors £1500 for 5 days work - to write, devise, perform the show and teach the routine to others.
1 Videographer £300 for 3 days work
1 choreographer £100 for 2 days work
Transport: £850
Costumes and props: £500
Total: £3250
* If donations go above the allocated target we will increase the amount of performers.
* If donations fall below the target we will decrease the amount of writing and rehearsal.
SUPPORT IN KIND
Can you offer us rehearsal space? A performance venue? Access to your photography studio? Do you have an airplane hangar you could lend us? A coach to get everyone to Manchester?
Want to take part in the show?
Act Up London meet on the first Tuesday of every month. We are always looking for new ideas and collaborations. Help us tell stories that impact our health service. There are always new and inventive creative actions to be involved with.