Political satire remains as cutting as ever

Yes Prime Minister is one of Britain’s best-loved political comedies.

Originally broadcast on television to millions in the 1980s, it featured the often adversarial relationship between prime minister Jim Hacker and his cabinet secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby.

This equally sharp stage version is based on the writing of award-winning script-writers Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Yes Prime Minister is at Titchfield Festival Theatre from May 17-27.

The UK is in crisis: debt is spiralling, unemployment is on the rise and the fragile coalition cabinet led by Hacker is at breaking point. But salvation may exist in the form of a complex pipeline deal with the oil-rich country of Kumranistan that would entitle the government to a multi-trillion pound loan. When the Kumranistan foreign secretary makes a shocking request of Jim’s private secretary Bernard Woolley, moral considerations collide with the economic future of the nation.

But how will Jim and his team reconcile the two? Political machinations, media manipulation and an appeal for divine intervention ensue.

Director John Anderson says: ‘When the chance to direct Yes Prime Minister came up it was an easy decision for me.

‘Having been a civil servant for 43 years my life has been ruled by decisions taken in central government and I’ve seen some interesting characters as well as having had access to the corridors of power.

‘Yes Prime Minister is one of those timeless comedies which has a cult following and appeals to both young and old alike.’

Go to titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com.