Yes, Prime Minister
There were more than a few sharp intakes of breath and nervous giggles at this breaking of taboo!
Yes, Prime Minister
Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby are back and in truly vintage form. The comedy remains as politically sharp and as blissfully funny as ever
Daily Telegraph
Yes, Prime Minister
There were more than a few sharp intakes of breath and nervous giggles at this breaking of taboo!
Why see Yes, Prime Minister?
Yes, Prime Minister is transferring to the Gielgud Theatre 20 Sept 2011
Thirty years ago the first episode of Yes, Minister was broadcast and went on to become television’s most successful political comedy ever. It and the equally successful sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, captured a niche in the political consciousness of the nation.
The original writers of these classic series have reunited for this anniversary production and now the Prime Minister Jim Hacker, his Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby and his Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley are all back, in a brand new play.
The world, of course, has turned meanwhile. Spin has become an art form and the BlackBerry is the must-have accessory. Dossiers have been ‘sexed up’, the ‘special relationship’ put to the test and countless MPs have stood down to ’spend more time with their families'.
But great institutions have a way of riding punches and bouncing back unscathed for the next round.
Will it prove so for Jim Hacker and his coterie of close advisors? Especially with the country on the brink of financial meltdown and the Government's only apparent salvation coming from an unlikely quarter – a morally dubious deal with the Foreign Minister of Kumranistan.
Key Information
Audience
Yes, Prime Minister is suitable for audiences aged 14 and upwards. Contains Adult themes.
Run Time
2 hours and 20 minutes with one interval.
Dates
Finished 16 Sep 2011
Cast
Simon Williams as Sir Humphrey Appleby
Richard McCabe as Jm Hacker
Charlotte Lucas as Claire Sutton
Chris Larkin as Bernard Woolley
Kevork Malikyan as The Kumranistan Ambassador
Michael Fenton Stevens as Simon Chestor, BBC Presenter
Jonathan Ccoote as Jeremy Burnham, Director General of the BBC
Richard McCabe as Jm Hacker
Charlotte Lucas as Claire Sutton
Chris Larkin as Bernard Woolley
Kevork Malikyan as The Kumranistan Ambassador
Michael Fenton Stevens as Simon Chestor, BBC Presenter
Jonathan Ccoote as Jeremy Burnham, Director General of the BBC
Creative
From the TV series by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn
Director - Jonathan Lynn
Design - Simon Higlett
Lighting - Tim Mitchell
Assistant Director - Tim Hoare
Casting - Garielle Dawes
Director - Jonathan Lynn
Design - Simon Higlett
Lighting - Tim Mitchell
Assistant Director - Tim Hoare
Casting - Garielle Dawes
Reviews
Customer reviews
12 reviews, average rating: (3.9 Stars)
Luca
Sensational
A very subtle yet ferociously funny play; I was in awe of all the actors, their performances truly taking the brilliance of the script to another level.
I was very glad to see a full house; alas not many young people, for whom this should be compulsory viewing.
This is an unmissable show, a genuine small masterpiece. I will definitely watch it again. ... Read more
Mme Butterfly
A truly brilliant night out!
Wasn't sure what to expect but spent two hours laughing and left the theatre on a high and wishing that there were more plays like these! The delivery and timing of these magnificent actors were quite sublime. Just a pity that there were so few youngsters in the audience. Is it, I wonder, the way in which the play has been portrayed in the media? Would love to see this again with my sons! ... Read more
Claire
Interesting, clever, funny, but not stunning.
I remember my Dad laughing at this show when I was a kid so (having enjoyed Enron the other week) I thought it might be fun to go and see the updated version.
The funny bits were mostly funny, I didn't feel the urge to weep with laughter like my fellow reviewer above but some parts were amazingly well done - the rants, the double-speak and the Fawlty-esque breakdowns as well as the one-liners. These things are mainly in the delivery, and the actors were brilliantly cast.
On the downside, one moral issue was re-hashed a dozen times and I'm not sure what it added after the first - serious point made, we get it, now move on already because you billed this as a comedy! The audience as a whole were getting uncomfortable after a while.
The people sitting around me (in the cheap seats!) were mainly in their late twenties and thirties and, like me, probably there to laugh at the digs at politicians, financial crisis etc and not because they remembered the original programme. ... Read more
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