theatre

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - THEATRE by JAMES COOPER
Published: 14 February 2008

The newsroom readies itself for a historic broadcast

The day the baroness died

THE DEATH OF MARGARET THATCHER
Courtyard Theatre

LOVE her or hate her, Baroness Thatcher is one of our most iconic figures. Her death is guaranteed to grip the nation and hog all headlines.
If this scenario worries you, playwright Tom Green has constructed a helpful, amusing insight to prepare us for the inevitable.
Thatcher’s death is quite perplexing for troubled Hoagy: he can’t seem to think of anything else. It’s confusing for him as he is not a Tory, not political and never particularly liked Thatcher to begin with.
He spends his time speaking to his almost mute shrink about why it’s bothering him so much and why he keeps dreaming of their meetings, where disturbingly little clothing is involved.
Thatcher’s death stirs troubling, Oedipal memories in Hoagy of his own mother’s passing; an event he never quite came to terms with.
Meanwhile back in the studio newsreader Jonelle (Sally Smedley for Drop The Dead Donkey fans) is preparing for the biggest bulletin of her career, hindered only by her producer’s childish style of flirting.
The death of a person with the celebrity of Margaret Thatcher means the newsrooms are extremely hectic, giving the producer more time with Jonelle leading her to yield to his very hidden charms. So the ice-queen is taught to loosen up, live a little and eventually feel something. She can thank Thatcher for that.
Strong performances from the majority of the cast, in particular Alan Freestone as Hoagy, make this entertaining, humorous production a well-spent hour. When Margaret Thatcher does eventually die I’d like to think Mr Green will be ready with quill to pen his view of the ensuing media frenzy and public melee, offering all of us another hour of mirth.
Until March 2
0870 163 0717

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» A-Z of Theatre
» Local Reviews
» Local Listings
» West End Reviews
» West End Listings
» Theatre Tickets
» Theatre & Hotel Packages