A classic TV comedy comes to the stage of two local theatres over the next few weeks.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn’s stage version of Yes, Prime Minister, is going on a ‘mini tour’ of Radlett and St Albans.
It can be seen at the Radlett Centre from next Wednesday, November 4, to Saturday, November 7, and again at the Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans from Thursday, December 10, until Saturday, December 12.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn collaborated to write one of the most successful television series of the 80s, first as Yes, Minister which was later promoted to Yes, Prime Minister.
Their stage version is far more recent and brought up to date, having been written in its present form just three years ago.
A play about politicians, it shows how any one of them will inevitably need to make decisions which might compromise his or her principles.
It is a satirical study of the human condition, of the political facts of life and how putting one’s finger on a simple and obvious truth can be very funny.
The play revolves around a high profile conference taking place at Lancaster House in London before switching to the Prime Minister’s country house retreat, Chequers.
At the Prime Minister’s country residence are the two civil servants, Sir Humphrey Appleby and Bernard Woolley. Sir Humphrey is an old hand at manipulating politicians in high office and is in the process of showing Bernard how this is done.
It emerges that the conference appears to have found a solution to all the future energy requirements for the UK and the whole of Europe - but one of the conditions would result in a sex scandal.
Prime Minister, Jim Hacker, who is surrounded by self-serving bureaucrats, is the man who has to make the decision.
Performances at both theatres begin at 8pm and in Radlett tickets range from £12-£14 (concessions £10-£12), available from the box office on 01923 859291 or go to www.radlettcentre.co.uk
At the Maltings Arts Theatre, they are £10 (concessions £8), available from 0333 666 336, online here or in person from the St Albans Tourist & Information Centre at the Town Hall.
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