Some Things Never Change
Yes,
Prime Minister
Newcastle
People’s Theatre
Tuesday
21 to Saturday 25 April 2015
The writers behind the original much loved TV series,
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, have returned with an updated parable of
political scheming. In the run up to
the next general election it is a fascinating reminder of may be happening
behind closed doors. Prime Minister Jim
Hacker has austerity problems at home and, as president of the Council of the
European Union, he also has diplomatic issues abroad.
There is also a potential problem with taking on a
well known television programme, such as Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, or this sitcom,
that the audience have to adjust to the different cast playing familiar
characters. Roger Liddle received two sets of applause for his fabulous
delivery of two of Sir Humphrey Appleby’s more verbose replies to a
straightforward question. Simply saying “yes” or “no” seemed too crude to the
former Classics graduate.
Sean Burnside comfortably filled the shoes of the
pedantic Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley. Perhaps the role which
differed the most from the tv series was that of Prime Minister Jim Hacker, but
that is not necessarily a bad thing. If
the programme hadn’t existed then there would be an immediate celebration in
the engaging manner of the modern politician but it is human nature to put that
comparison there. Steve Hewitt has the
familiar feel of the current crop of politicians and his Jim Hacker is suitably
more street-wise than Paul Eddington’s interpretation was.
The People’s Theatre set is the refined set of the
study at Chequers. The action, under Eileen Davidson’direction, is allowed to
flow and takes advantage of the single set. The show isn’t slowed down by the
stop-start of regularly changing scenes.
There is a smaller supporting cast than many shows
at the Peoples and each one has a vital role to play. The special adviser
Claire Sutton is instrumental to the story and Geffen Yoeli-Rimmer is much less
irritating than the original SPAD Frank Weisel.
The story involves the diplomatic backroom manoeuvring
as a result of the visit of the Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of
Kumranistan. Andrew De’Ath plays the
confident Ambassador that is at the centre of the diplomatic nightmare for the
Prime Minister.
The egotistical self-importance of both the
politicians, their advisors and the civil service helped ensure regular ripples
of laughter from the audience. The
overall result is a timely look at how important decisions can be made as the
result of dodgy backroom dealing. The story is updated from the series that was
produced from 1979 until 1988 and yet it understands the qualities that made
the original so entertaining. May Roger Liddle’s Sir Humphrey Appleby continue
to never give a straight answer to a simple question.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Photos: Paula Smart https://www.facebook.com/wildheartsphoto
Tickets:
Yes,
Prime Minister by Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn runs from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April
2015, 7.30pm at The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle
upon Tyne, NE6 5QF.
Tickets
are: £13.50 (Concessions £11) – To book: 0191 265 5020 or online at their
website: www.peoplestheatre.co.uk
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