NATIONAL THEATRE, LYTTELTON

This House transfers to National

James Graham's This House received its premiere in 2012 at the Cottesloe Theatre, and enjoyed across-the-board critical acclaim. This run sees its transfer to the larger Olivier Theatre, where the public can once again enjoy this riveting play about political skullduggery within Westminster during the 1974-1979 hung parliament years.

Starring Paul Daniels (Quadrophenia), and featuring the brilliantly inventive set design of Rae Smith, which seats the audience on House of Commons-like benches, the play takes apart the quirks unique to our government with incisive wit and skillful direction from Jeremy Herrin. This production, which is thoroughly researched, bitingly satirical and deeply comic takes a poke at the often absurd nature of political systems and their inhabitants; this play will appeal to those familiar with the setting but also anyone partial to political satire, of which this is a fine example.

What is This House about?

This House begins in 1974. The political landscape in Britain is tense, to say the least. On the brink of an economic crisis, Labour's power is hanging by a thread. The play puts the inner workings of government under a microscope; backroom cabinet staff seek to win minor battles which are just as heated as anything in main-stage politics. It's behind-the-scenes political machination at its heated best.