Dead Sheep

THATCHER'S DOWNFALL RETOLD - FROM HOWE'S PERSPECTIVE

With election time almost upon us, London theatre is practically bursting full of politically themed productions. Ex-journalist Jonathan Maitland focuses his attention on the events of November 1990; the beginning of the end for Thatcher (and the rise of one John Major), brought on by an explosive speech by the sacked Foreign Secretary of the time Geoffrey Howe, announcing his departure in the Commons. Former Spitting Image star Steve Nallon once again takes the role of the Iron Lady, this time in live action, portraying her chilly power to full effect whilst the beleaguered Howe is played by James Wilby.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Howe, once dismissed as having the attack power of a "dead sheep" finds inspiration from his wife Elspeth in order to turn the tables on Thatcher and start the ball rolling for her inevitable ousting as PM. However, it is far from easy for him to make himself heard above the rabble-rousing. Summarily dumped from his position as Foreign Secretary due to his work as Chancellor, his record on Hong Kong and Gibraltar, and his pro-European stance, this is a portrait of a man driven to the edge.

Having lost their grace and favour home Chevening, he and his wife Elspeth plot together to make sure that his departure is an explosive one. And so it comes to pass that through a few pages of speech, the notably mild Howe shoots at the heart of the establishment and starts a political avalanche for Thatcher, in return for his humilation. A dead sheep? We think not.