WOS Theatregoers say “Yes” to Prime Minister
The latest Whatsonstage.com Outing saw us heading to the Apollo Theatre, braving the London rain and skipping across the puddles down Shaftesbury Avenue. With 2011 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award winner for Best New Comedy Yes, Prime Minister on the bill, 120 of our theatregoers were keen to see the latest update of this staple of British television comedy.
Faced with the dilemma of saving Europe through an oil deal that involves a teenage prostitute, the Prime Minister, together with his team, tries to navigate his way out of the moral mosh pit the government is heading towards. With one-liners galore and physical comedy that leaves the Prime Minister hiding under his desk, the show truly earns its comedy wings.
Incorporating all the latest news, with references to News of the World and phone hacking, we were left wondering if creators Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn clock in the overtime to keep the script up to date from week to week.
The story of meddling Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby who tries to pull the strings in Prime Minister Jim Hacker’s office left us laughing in our seats and in a jolly good mood for the post-show cast meet and greet. As we were joined by actors Simon Williams (Sir Humphrey Appleby), Richard McCabe (Jim Hacker), Charlotte Lucas (Claire Sutton, Special Policy Advisor) and Michael Fenton (Simon Chester, BBC presenter) in the American Airlines Bar of the Apollo, praise and well wishes were the order of the day.
Over a few drinks our Club members got to chat with the stars of the show, who signed programmes and seemed to enjoy the casual atmosphere. With some long-time fans of the BBC programme in the audience, comparisons were inevitable, but enthusiasm for the stage adaptation was overwhelming.
Please do feel free to email your comments and thoughts about the play, as well as any photos you have of the event and the evening through to feedback@whatsonstage.com, we love to hear from you.
Thanks for joining us for this event, and do check the homepage to keep up to date on all of our upcoming Outings.
Cordula Schnuer
