Yes, Prime Minister

Yes, Prime Minister is a hilariously funny update to the 1980’s BBC sitcom which made fun of the perceived disastrous attempt Margret Thatcher made of running the country. The series and this play, both written by writing duo Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, shows the ups and downs of Prime Minister Jim Hacker (Richard McCabe) who is desperately trying to get the public back on side after having to form a coalition (very "now" I think).

To “help” him is Sir Humphrey Appleby (Simon Williams), a civil servant, who is desperate for Britain to lose the sterling and go for the euro and not lose his big wage plus pension. Hacker’s other aid is the comical private secretary, Bernard Woolley. Woolley’s child-like character and his way of always taking sides with the Prime Minister, may remind some of a certain Lib Dem Leader. The actor Chris Larkin is captivating every time he is on the stage and plays the part brilliantly. Hacker’s female policy adviser is the New Labour-like woman, Claire Sutton (Charlotte Lucas). She is very Cherie Blair, breaking all the formal rules and tries to do what’s best for the Prime Minister.

The script from Jay and Lynn is witty and amusing. The style of the writing is interesting, a mixture of old and new. It takes a bit of time getting started in Act One, but by the time that Scene 2 starts the show is getting laughs every other minute. It’s wonderful sitting in a theatre where people are laughing out loud loads, and clapping at Humphrey’s long, trying-to-avoid-the-point, speeches. The format of the play, all set in one room, is very similar to a traditional farce. It seems odd why the writers used the Yes, Prime Minister set up, rather than creating something new. However this may be a good thing, for a new but similar idea may get criticised for being, well, similar. Going on the back of the TV show makes the show more appealing, especially to an older audience, while it introduces that style of comedy to a younger audience.

The set design in this show was FANTASTIC. Yes capital letters, with added bold goodness! The beautiful curves and wood panels were magnificently detailed. The window at the back had a wonderful view of the trees and gardens. This comes to life in Act Two when rain trickles down creating a gloomy atmosphere. The desks and chairs really fitted the set. The flat screen TV screens doted around the theatre are used for the BBC News section in the second act which cleverly makes fun of interviewers such as Paxman and Dimbleby.

Overall, this new comedy, inspired by an old favourite, is a pleasure to watch and is brilliantly written, acted and directed.

-Yes, Prime Minister runs at the Curve Theatre in Leicester til the 2nd April