Yes Prime Minister / our review

EVENTFUL Inspiring curiousity

Oct 10th, 2012

Natalie Vincent

Natalie Vincent

Who really governs the country?!

Having been  only vaguely aware of the television series growing up, I did not know what to expect from Yes, Prime Minister. Well, in the interim I learnt that the main premise was based on the perpetual one-upmanship between Prime Minister Jim Hacker and his scheming Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. I also knew it examined the complex relationships between the ministers and civil servants which ultimately begged the question: who truly governs at Whitehall?

The show does not disappoint in that respect. Updated to reflect the 21st century, it opens to the familiar theme tune of BBC News, and the lights go up in the opulent drawing room at Chequers, where all of the action will take place. The bulletin appears on a plasma television; telephones are now cordless, and Blackberries are thumbed through. Sir Humphrey (played to great effect by stage veteran Simon Williams) and the hapless Private Secretary Bernard Wooley (Chris Larkin) discuss the global downturn and mortgage crisis, drawing laughs with some great observations.

Curiously  throughout the show, it doesn’t allude to other recent events which have certainly more relevance such as student protests; the phone-hacking scandal received a cursory ad-lib: “My God, we might  been hacked!” Perhaps the financial crisis has been with us for so long, the plot’s background focus on it gives it an oddly dated feel.

The actual plot centers on the visit of a foreign minister of the fictional Kumranistan; in order to secure a $10 trillion loan, the PM must agree to an oil pipeline deal. But when it comes down to the moment of signing, it all hinges on a morally dubious request made by the visiting dignatory. The aftermath shows Hacker, Bernard and a new character, steely Special Policy Advisor Claire Sutton (Charlotte Lucas), dismissing, then debating, and finally entertaining the potential fallout.

The most uncomfortable part was a discussion with the Kumranistan ambassador (Kevork Malikyan) , who provided more than a few unwelcome truths about the gulf between Western and Middle-Eastern societies. There were more than a few sharp intakes of breath and nervous giggles at this breaking of taboo. The two women to my right in the audience were not amused at all;  after the interval, they didn’t come back.

Jim Hacker, (played to blustery perfection by classical star Richard McCabe), is the ideal comic foil to Sir Humphrey’s Machavellian plots. Whilst Sir Humphrey spouts off his infamously obfuscatory monologues, Hacker’s face veers between understanding and frustration, willing the imaginary lightbulb to come on. The roles are reversed when he triumphantly waves his proposed Civil Service Act about, leaving both Bernard and Sir Humphrey terrified of losing their comfortable positions in the civil service.

After Claire takes matters into her own hands and wanders off to procure the ‘favour’ for their guest, all hell breaks loose. Faced with the prospect of a BBC/Daily Mail expose, law-breaking, CIA involvement and potential financial fallout from the failed deal, Hacker retreats under his desk like a little boy, causing great uproar from the audience. That is until Sir Humphrey reappears to put things right, as he always does.

The show’s premise has aged well. Even with the invention of 24-hour news, spin doctors and smartphones in the 30 years after the series ended, the question of who governs who is still very relevant today. However, given that the original writers of the series (Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn)  premiered this stage version at the Chichester Festival in 2010, enough has happened in real events since to warrant updates to the script. After all, the political landscape does change daily.

Audience: Yes, Prime Minister is suitable for audiences aged 15 and upwards. Due to the sensitive subject matter, this play is not recommended to those easily offended. There is use of strobe lighting and loud sound effects for dramatic effect.

Great night out: for fans of political satire and the original series
Morning after effect: trying to recite Sir Humphrey’s long monologues
Recommend to friends? Absolutely.....Prime Minister
Best bit: Jim Hacker, in his ‘TV’ persona,  channeling Winston Churchill during a BBC interview

Reviewed by Natalie Vincent, 2012

View our show pages for more information about Yes Prime Minister, Lyric Theatre at The Lowry.

Yes Prime Minister, Lyric Theatre at The Lowry, Manchester

Yes Prime Minister

4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating

Lyric Theatre at The Lowry: Closed May 14, 2011

During the Eighties Yes, Prime Minister was one of the most highly-regarded sitcoms and it is said that even Margaret Thatcher herself watched the show. The satirical take on British government was so...more info

Book TicketsBook tickets for Yes Prime Minister, Lyric Theatre at The Lowry, Manchester

Spread the word

Sound good to you? Share this page on social media and let your friends know about it.

Keep up to date

I want email news and updates for events in my area! Read how we protect your data.