Author: Mike Brady
Last saved by: alison
Company: jj

Ideas for Baby Milk Action performance at WOMAD 2004

Scene 1 Introduction

Mime sequence

Brian comes on with a box of chocolates. He looks furtively around and then opens the box and eats one. He then eats the rest, stuffing them into his mouth. When the last one has gone he realises the box is empty and he decides to hide this fact by making fake chocolates from mud and putting these in the box.

When he has finished doing this Simon (his younger brother) comes in with a ball. Brian pursaudes Simon to give him the ball in exchange for the chocolate box. Brian then plays with the ball while Simon tries one of the chocolates. Simon spits the ‘chocolate’ out and starts crying before hitting Brian. Brian retaliates.  Mother enters.

Mother:  Stop this right now!  What do you think you are doing!

Boys:  He started it!

Mother:  Started what?  What are you arguing about this time.

Toddler (Simon):  He made me sick.  My tummy hurts.

Older boy (Brian):  No I didn’t.

Mother:  What happened?

Simon:  He told me to eat this.

Brian:  No I didn’t.

Mother:  What is it?  It’s mud.

Simon:  It’s horrible!  I’m going to be sick!

Mother:  Why did you eat it?

Simon:  He told me it was chocolate.

Brian:  No I didn’t.  That’s a lie!

Mother:  Chocolate!  Brian, did you tell your little baby brother it was chocolate?

Brian:  No!

Simon:  Yes he did.

Brian:  I didn’t.  He’s a liar.  All I said was, Simon this looks like chocolate.  It’s brown isn’t it.

Mother:  Why did you eat it Simon.

Simon (starting to cry):  I thought it was chocolate.

Brian:  He’s stupid.  It’s his own stupid fault.

Simon:  There were chocolates on the box.  He told me it was chocolate.

Brian:  No I didn’t tell him it was chocolate.

Mother:  What box.

(finds a box behind the boys.  The boys slap each other and Brian makes hissed threats at Simon.  The box is a chocolate box.  She shows the audience and takes the lid off.  It has chocolate shaped lumps in it.  She picks one up and smells it that licks it.)

Mother:  Ugg!  This is mud!

Brian:  I know.  That is what I was trying to tell you.  It’s not my fault if you decide to lick it.  That’s your stupid fault.

Mother:  This a terrible trick!  I’ve told you not to play tricks on your little brother.

Brian:  It’s not my fault if he’s stupid!

(Move to back of stage still bickering)

Mother:  Oh Brian, you are too much.  What is going to become of you!

Scene 2 – Pushing formula

(Change of scene is shown by flipping sheets on a flip chart or announcing “20 years later – a doctors surgery”.  The actors change their clothing and character.  The mother – now a different person – moves into the audience.  She is carrying a baby.  The actor playing Simon is now dressed as a doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope and puts a table and chair on the stage – he is now a different person.  The actor playing Brian puts on a suit.  He is the same person).

(The doctor sits behind the table and does something silly – listening to his own heart beat or similar).

Doctor: (After ad-libs).  Next.

Brian (enters the surgery):  Good morning doctor.  How are you this morning?  

Doctor:  I am fine.  Please have a seat.  How can I help you?

Brian:  It is more a question of how I can help you?

Doctor:  Help me?  You’re not sick then?

Brian: No doctor.  I’m a Medical Delegate for Nestle.  The world famous baby food company.  My name is Brian.

Doctor:  A Medical Delegate.  For Nestle.  That sounds important.  Have we met before.

Brian:  No unfortunately not.  You do remind me of by brother Simon, though.  He is also very handsome and intelligent.

Doctor:  So what do you want to discuss?  I am very busy.  I have many sick people waiting to see me (sweeps hand over the audience).

Brian:  And I am sure some of them are mothers with young babies?

Doctor:  Yes.  I have many mothers who come to see me when their infants are sick or for advice on caring for their infants.

Brian:  Mothers worry so much don’t they?  Nestle likes to take away that worry.  That’s why for over 130 years we have been producing breastmilk substitutes for when they can’t breastfeed.

Doctor:  I’m not sure I’ve encountered a mother who can’t breastfeed.  Virtually all mothers can breastfeed if they have support. And it is better for their infants.  I encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months, no water, tea or juice, then continued breastfeeding when the baby starts to take other food.  That’s the World Health Organisation’s recommendation.  Breastfed infants are less likely to become sick.  There’s less risk of gastro-enteritis and respiratory illnesses and in the longer term less risk of illnesses such as allergies and diabetes.  Research has also shown lower risk of heart disease in later life and less obesity. [FOR INFORMATION ON THE SPECIAL CASE OF MOTHERS INFECTED WITH HIV SEE THE ‘YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED’ SECTION OF THE BABY MILK ACTION WEBSITE.  THIS ISSUE CAN BE ADDRESSED IN QUESTIONS].

Brian:  I know.  Breastmilk is a wonderful substance.  Nestle calls it the “Gold Standard”.   We use it as our model when we produce our breastmilk substitutes.

(Pulls out a genuine Nestle promotional brochure)

Brian:  We have done a great deal of research making our formula as close a possible to breastmilk.  Look, its got vitamins and minerals.  Calcium – important for bones and teeth.

Doctors:  Yes, but it doesn’t have antibodies to protect against infections in the environment does it?  You know that a mothers breastmilk acts like a vaccine protecting her child from infection.

Brian:  It doesn’t have antibodes, but it has other really good things.  Look, this one helps to prevent diarrhoea.  This is very popular in Africa where mothers and health workers become very concerned when their children get diarrhoea,  They can become dehydrated and die from malnutrition. [REF: PELARGON FORMULA PAMPHLET, SEE ‘CODEWATCH’ SECTION OF THE BABY MILK ACTION WEBSITE www.babymilkaction.org]

Doctor:  But it can’t be better than breastfeeding can it?  Is this backed by research.

Brian:  Oh yes.  Nestle has done lots of research to prove its claims.

Doctor: But is their independent research?

Brian:  The researchers we pay are very independent.  That’s what we pay them for.  Independent proof our formula  is the best and closest ever to breastmilk.

Doctor:  But it’s very expensive.  How much would this cost?

Brian:  £6 per tin.

Doctor:  Mothers can’t afford that.  You know that’s half a week’s money for some of the mothers who come to see me.  Let’s have a look at this tin.  [GENUINE LABEL TEXT]  ‘Its qualitative and quantitative composition is based on that of breastmilk.  Nan 1 contains all the vitamins and minerals known to be essential for the development of the infant.  Nan 1 is guaranteed by Nestlé, known and trusted by mothers throughout the world’. (Looks back to Nestlé Medical Delegate).  You’re making it sound the same as breastmilk.

Brian:  No.  No.  Not at all.  We explicitely say ‘Breastmilk is best for babies’.

Doctor: Where?  I can’t see that anywhere.

Brian: (Taking tin).  Here.

Doctor: (Taking tin).  But that’s under the lid.  You can’t read that unless you buy the tin and take the lid off.

Brian:  Really?  I’ve never notice that before [NESTLE’S GENUINE RESPONSE WHEN BABY MILK ACTION RAISED THIS].

Doctor:  Look, this is too expensive.  

Brian:  Well, I can let you have some samples so the mothers can try it for free.  We are very generous at Nestle. [NESTLE CLAIMS IT NO LONGER GIVES FREE SAMPLES, BUT THIS IS UNTRUE.  BABY MILK ACTION ONE A CASE BEFORE THE UK ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY WHEN NESTLE MADE SUCH A CLAIM IN AN ANTI-BOYCOTT ADVERTISEMENT.  EVIDENCE IN THE BREAKING THE RULES, STRETCHING THE RULES REPORTS SHOWS GIVING OF FREE SAMPLES AND SUPPLIES IS STILL COMMONPLACE].

Doctor:  But what about when the samples are finished?  What is she supposed to do then?

Brian:  It is available in all the shops.  Even the stall holders on the market sell it these days.

Doctor:  But she won’t be able to afford it!  Mothers will over-dilute the formula to make it last longer or use ordinary milk which is very dangerous.  People here are very poor you know.  Many can’t even to pay my fees.  Sometimes I accept half payment or they can bring me some eggs to pay for their medicine.  Your products have no place here.  Mothers are better off breastfeeding and their infants are better of being breastfed.

(Brian looks around)

Brian: Your office could do with some brightening up.  Here look, why not put up one of these height charts.  That’s cheerful isn’t it? [HANDS OVER GENUINE NESTLE HEIGHT CHART, WHICH HAS THE NESTLE NAME, BLUE BEAR LOGO AND PACK SHOTS OF CERELAC CEREAL FOODS].

Doctor:  It is very nice and useful.  But it has your company name on it.  And pictures of yor baby foods.

Brian: Nothing wrong with that.  It doesn’t mention our formula.  Here, have a notebook.  [PULLS OUT A GENUINE NOTEBOOK GIVEN AS GIFTS TO HEALTH WORKERS].

Doctor:  This says “Nestle nutrition” 

Brian:  And Nestle is an expert in infant nutrition.

Brian: (pulls out more)  Here are some post it notes.  And a pen. [ALL GENUINE]

Doctor:  What’s this blue bear on the pen?

Brian:  That’s a bit of fun.  Here have a blue bear flag [HANDS OVER A GENUINE FLAG ON A STICK]

Doctor: No, I’ve seen this on your baby foods.

Brian: Ah yes.  Blue bear.  He looks friendly doesn’t he?

Doctor:  Blue bear.  Yes, I remember, you had people in the shopping centre down town last week talking about infant nutrition.  Nestle’s blue bear friends. [SEE ADVERTISEMENT IN THE ‘CODEWATCH’ SECTION]

Brian:  Nestle likes to help.  You doctors don’t have time to give mothers all the information they need.  We also have baby clubs mothers can join.  Here, you could put some of these leaflets in your surgery. 

Doctor (takes leaflet): ‘Calling all Mum’s to be”.  Are you encouraging mothers to buy you products instead of breastfeed? [SEE EXAMPLE IN THE ‘CODEWATCH’ SECTION]

Brian:  No, of course not.  This is about food for children not new infants.

Doctor:  But is says for ‘mum’s to be’.

Brian:  It’s good to be prepared so they can buy the products they need in time.  Talking of time.  Here’s a clock (hands over a clock with a Nestle logo and blue bear).  [SEE EXAMPLES IN THE BREAKING THE RULES REPORTS]  Nice eh?  You can put it up there next to the space for the air conditioner.  Has your air conditioner broken?

Doctor:  (embarrassed) Yes.  Yes it has.  I’ll be getting it fixed in a few weeks or so.

Brian:  Let me talk with my boss.  I’m sure he’ll let me give you an air conditioner [SEE INTERNAL NESTLE MEMOS WHERE SENIOR MANAGEMENT AUTHORISED SUCH REQUESTS IN THE REPORT ‘MILKING PROFITS’].  I’ll come back next week with it and some of those free samples of formula you requested. 

Doctor:  Hang on, hang on. I am independent, not a sales rep for you.

Brian:  I agree.  I agree.  We all want the best for mothers and infants.  Look, we are holding a conference next month.  The head of paediatric society is speaking at it.  We work very closely with the paediatric society in your country.  (Pulls out tickets).  Its in the capital so you will need to fly there.  I’ve taken the liberty of booking flights for you and your wife and two children.  Here.  This is the information on the hotel and the programme.  Anyway I won’t take more of your time.  See you next week. [NESTLE ITSELF BOASTS OF ITS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PAEDIATRIC ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCES.  THE ‘MILKING PROFITS’ REPORT CONTAINS INFORMATION ON HOW RECORDS ARE KEPT ON DOCTORS PERSONAL DETAILS AND AIR TICKETS ARE GIVEN.  HEALTH WORKERS HAVE DESCRIBED SIMILAR GIFTS OF TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION BEING GIVEN].

(Brian leaves and sits at the edge of the stage to one side).

(Doctor looks at the tickets and the programme)

Doctor:  I’ve never been on a plane before and I have been to the capital since my wife and I got married.  What’s this programme?  (Reads from the papers).  Arrive Friday.  Welcome dinner.  Saturday.  Breakfast.  City tour.  Lunch.  Seminar at the hotel.  Dinner.  Sunday.  Free. [SEE THE SIMILAR PROGRAMME FOR AN EVENT IN THE ‘MILKING PROFITS’ REPORT].

(Mother gets up from the audience and walks towards the stage, passing by Brian.  Doctor reads one of the product information leaflets briefly and then sticks up the height chart and arranges the other items on his desk)

Mother (muttering):  I’ve walked five miles to come here and I should be working in my fields, but just waiting, waiting, waiting.

Brian:  Hello Madam.  How are you?

Mother:  I’m tired.  I think I’m next.

Brian:  Ah yes.  I think so.  This is a very good doctor.  We work very closely with him.  I am from Nestle, trusted by mothers around the world.  Here, why not take this baby grow for your child [HANDS OVER A GENUINE BABY GROW GIVEN BY NESTLE TO MOTHERS – IT HAS THE TEXT ‘I LOVE MY NESTLE MOTHER’ ON IT – SEE BREAKING THE RULES 2004] .  No, no need to pay.  You remind me of my own mother, you know.

(mother takes the baby grow).

Doctor: Next.

(mother enters and sits down)

Doctor:  What appears to be the trouble?

Mother:  I am worried about my youngest.  Is he growing quickly enough.

Doctor: Let’s go through to the examination room and I’ll take a look. [Mother leaves at the back of the stage.  Doctor picks up the tin of formula and looks around undecided what to do.  He picks up the product information leaflet and makes up his mind.  Picking up a ‘Calling all mum’s to be’ leaflet he follows the mother with the formula.

Brian: (sitting on the edge of the stage)  More business for Nestle. The baby formulas are selling better and better, thanks to my enthusiastic marketing. And there’s the other infant feeds as well. Then there are all those products once the kid is weaned. They’ll be Nestle customers for life. They can go on to eat our other products like – polo mints, Nescafe coffee, etc. (he gradually gets more sleepy while reciting the product list) Marketing is very satisfying. Especially for the baby formulas. Everyone wants the best for their babies and we have so much to sell them. Easy money (falls asleep)

Scene 3 – Dream sequence

Breast: (actor in giant breast costume enters stealthily and stands next to Brian) Brian, wake up.

Brian: (waking and surprised to see breast) What…

Breast: Brian, what have you been doing?

Brian: What. Nothing. Who are you?

Breast: You have to stop pushing baby formulas.

Tin: (actor in giant tin costume enters stealthily to stand on the other side of Brian) Don’t listen to her, Brian. You know what you’re doing.

Breast: Babies are dying because doctors are prescribing formula when it’s not necessary. The majority of mothers visiting the doctor don’t need these products. They can be supported with breast feeding.

Tin: He’s not responsible for the way doctors prescribe. They are the experts. [THE ARGUMENTS GIVEN BY THE TIN ARE TAKEN FROM NESTLE MATERIALS, WEBSITE AND THE COMMENTS MADE AT DEBATES BY NESTLE MANAGEMENT]

Breast: But you give doctors promotional material. It says “Closer than ever to breast milk.”

Tin: We always say “Breast feeding is best.”  (shows this on the tin costume) It’s not our fault if people think otherwise. Brian is doing fine. Leave him alone.

Breast: But he has to stop.

Tin: He’s a big boy now. He can make up his own mind.

Breast: Maybe he needs some help to make the right decision.

Tin: I’m giving him plenty of help.

Breast: But it’s not the right decision. 

Tin: He wants to do what’s best.

Breast: Not the best for mothers and babies. (Empties out a pile of dolls)  Look, say that this pile of babies live or die depending on how they are fed. One and a half million infants die every year because they’re not breast fed.  How many do you think will make it? [FOR THE DETAILS OF THIS STATISTIC AND NESTLE’S ATTACK ON IT, SEE THE ‘YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED’ SECTION OF THE BABY MILK ACTION WEBSITE].

Tin: That’s easy. Brian. Pick up a baby. Think about your annual bonus. Now give the baby to me. (gives it to Tin, who throws it over his shoulder) There. (Brian picks up another) [PAY SLIPS PROVIDED BY NESTLE WHISTLE BLOWER, SYED AAMIR RAZA CLEARLY SHOWED HIS ‘SALES BONUS’ AND INTERNAL DOCUMENTS SHOWED THAT INFANT FORMULA RECEIVED THE HIGHEST BONUS – SEE THE ‘MILKING PROFITS’ REPORT].

Breast: That wasn’t fair. You didn’t give me a chance. (To the audience) OK, you can help me. How can we prick Brian’s conscience? What’s a good reason why Brian should give the baby to me. (get suggestion from audience) would you like to come up here and try to catch a baby. If you get one you can give it to me. (to Brian and Tin) you have to move further apart. 

Brian: What do I do now?

Tin: Give me the baby, of course. Think about you annual assessment. You want to do well in Nestle don’t you? (Brian throws the baby over, volunteers try to catch it) Let’s have another.

Breast: Wait! Let’s have another good reason why I should have the baby… Good suggestion. Would you like to come up here and help? You two have to move further apart. (repeat as much as necessary) There. What’s the final score. Looks like we’ve done really well.

(Audience suggestions and the responses given by the Tin as it moves further away from Brian and Brian becomes increasingly faltering in his throwing are likely to be as follows:

Formula doesn’t contain antibodies

BUT BRIAN OUR FORMULA IS BEING CONTINUALLY IMPROVED TO MAKE IT CLOSER TO BREASTMILK

Mothers can’t afford it and may use other substances.

BRIAN, THAT’S NOT YOUR FAULT. THAT’S THE MOTHER’S FAULT.

Mothers may over-dilute it.

BRIAN, THAT’S THE MOTHERS FAULT.  IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT IF THE MOTHERS CAN’T READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

The water may be unsafe.  Mothers may not prepare the formula hygienically.

BRIAN, IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Nearly all mothers can breastfeed.

BRIAN, IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT IF DOCTORS PRESCRIBE IT.  THEY’RE THE EXPERTS.

Some babies are allergic to cow’s milk.

BUT BRIAN, WE HAVE LOTS OF SPECIALIST FORMULAS WHICH ARE EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE.  WE MAKE EVEN MORE PROFIT FROM THOSE.

Aggressive marketing violates the World Health Assmebly marketing requirements.

BUT BRIAN, WE HAVE LOTS OF POLICY DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS SAYING HOW ETHICAL WE ARE.

- and as the children become increasingly successful at catching the dolls and delivering them to the breast –

BRIAN THINK OF THE COMPANY’S PROFITS.

THINK OF THE SHAREHOLDERS.

THINK OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.  DON’T LISTEN TO THEM.  THROW THE BABIES TO ME!]

Breast: So let’s see how we’ve done.  (compares the piles of dolls behind the tin and next to herself).  Oh, I think we have been able to save lots of babies.  A big round of applause for all my helpers.

(tin leaves so actor can return to give final talk)

Brian: But this isn’t real life. There aren’t masses of people willing to come between me and my profits.

Breast: There are.

Brian: What!

Breast: Lots of people are campaigning against Nestle and boycotting your products.

Brian: Don’t boycott me! I hate it. But it’s going to take more action to make me stop. 

Breast: If more and more people get involved then it could be a big problem for you.

Brian: I’m not worried. Lots of people still don’t  know about the baby milk issue.

Breast: But what about if more and more people hear about how unethical your marketing practices are and start boycotting you?

Brian: This would turn into a nightmare.

Campaigner: I am going to tell you about the work of Baby Milk Action and how you can help to make Brian’s nightmare come true.  But first a big round of applause for the two actors.

(This could be followed by an explanation of what happened to Syed Aamir Raza, the former Nestlé employee whose conscience was pricked when a child died at a doctor’s surgery he was visiting and who inspired the piece.  Questions can then be taken from the audience and used as a peg for giving greater information about the campaign.)