Brilliant caricatures of Thatcher and the Queen at Handbagged (Richmond Theatre)

London Event Reviews by May B

Margaret Thatcher, love her or hate her, had a profound impact on British society. So as a product of the 1980s I thought it would be interesting to see how history would remember those events – especially from a comedy perspective. And I always enjoy a voyeuristic glimpse – however fictitious – behind the Royal curtains. I wasn’t disappointed.

The set is simple – a white framework that, when lit, evoked the Union flag but otherwise suggested the panels of the various rooms at the palace. And the staging is interesting - the older Queen (Susie Blake was brilliantly convincing) and mature Margaret (another sparkling performance by Kate Fahy) watch their younger selves (Emma Handy and Sanchia McCormack) during their regular private meetings and add their recollections and corrections.

Adding a surprising layer, the actors comment on the progress of the play and enlist the support of the audience or share private sarcastic asides.

There are also numerous quick part changes for the supporting cast with the highly versatile Asif Khan switching from palace nobody to press secretary Michael Shea, IRA spokesperson, Arthur Scargil and Neil Kinnock – and with a fabulous flourish - even Nancy Reagan. While Richard Teverson did a number of upper-class turns variously as Dennis, Prince Philip, Michael Heseltine and Geoffrey Howe and then as Ronald Reagan and Rupert Murdoch.

I enjoyed watching Maggie’s time as Prime Minister spanning that first tentative meeting with the Queen through various crises abroad (Zimbabwe, Argentina, the Commonwealth and South Africa) and at home (the miners’ strike, the US and Libya and the Poll Tax riots) and to her final defeat in that famous leadership challenge.

We laughed throughout, Along with the audience, I loved the impressions which sometimes reached caricature level when it came to horses and dogs and Dennis’ endearing pet names.

Moira Buffini is indeed a gifted playwright – those old political arguments still echo in today’s rhetoric. And the skilful positioning of the Queen as the true representative of the ordinary people and guardian of the nation left me smiling.

It’s nearing the end of its tour and is on at Richmond until Saturday 28th November.

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/handbagged/richmond-theatre/

http://www.handbaggedtheplay.com/

Posted Date
Nov 23, 2015 in London Event Reviews by May B by May B