Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Four stars
Five years is a long time in politics just as it is in
the theatre. When James Graham’s epic reimagining of one of the most pivotal
eras in late twentieth century British democracy first appeared in 2012, its
depiction of the aftermath of the 1974 hung parliament in Westminster chimed
with a then current coalition. Half a decade and a couple of referendums on,
Graham’s dramatic whizz through to 1979’s successful vote of no confidence in
the Labour government now looks like a warning.
Jeremy Herrin and Jonathan O’Boyle’s touring revival
of a production first seen at the National Theatre begins with both sides of the
House marching en masse in their grey suits and twin-sets down the aisles of
the auditorium before cutting a well-choreographed rug in formation. As the
Labour and Tory whips mark out their territory away from the chamber, this
proves to be one of the few moments of unity in a breathless yarn that picks at
the old-school gentleman’s agreement that parliament was built on.
With assorted Prime Ministers and leaders of the
opposition offstage, Graham’s set up is part-Shakespearian, with most MPs
addressed by their constituency name, and part Horrible Histories, as ageing
politicians are wheeled from their death-beds to vote. With Big Ben’s briefly
stopped clock-face looming over Rae Smith’s wood-panelled set, a cast of
nineteen plus a four-piece band burl their way through botched devolution
votes, bar-room deals and all-night sittings en route to the end of the
post-war consensus. If the final honourable act of honour that ushers in the
new order points to the need for a less combative politics, it’s the play’s
final words from arguably the most significant off-stage player that speaks
volumes about what happens next.
The Herald, March 30th 2018
ends
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