With the current political climate in the state, it is in and how we have seen it over the last few years, political satire writers are left with a wealth of material. Michael McManus’s new political satire Party Games encompasses the political storylines surrounding the early days of Boris Johnson taking the leadership helm.

Matthew Cottle leads the cast in the role of John Waggner the newly elected, but not elected new Prime Minister, he needs twelve more seats to gain the majority, exactly the amount the SNP now hold. What could possibly go wrong?

Waggner loosely leads. It’s the political machine around him who is the one doing all the work. When he employs Seth (Ryan Early) our resident Dominic Cummings character the rot sets in and the in-house mind games start to take over. Waggner openly admits to not reading his briefings properly if at all, although he can fully rely on Seth to help him out!

Waggner’s wife Anne (Natalie Dunne) portrays in many ways Johnson’s wife Carrie. She reads these documents and points out the danger of letting Seth make decisions. Dunne looks fantastic in her power-dressing outfits predominantly green and white created by Francis O’Connor. They set her up as the power force behind the leader which is superb casting.

The production is performed on a backdrop of a Union Jack flag in black and white. Triangle sections move to create scene settings predominantly the offices behind the famous black front door of Number Ten Downing Street. It is an intricate and effective design by set designer O’Conner it is one of the best stage designs that I have seen for a while which utilises the whole stage area.

I think in some ways this play is too “raw” for audiences at the moment who have lived through the debacle and after-effects of this portrayal of the leadership. In thirty years perhaps it could take a spot as a historical comedy farce that will entertain audiences that haven’t been closely affected and see it from a different perspective.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Craig Fuller

For more information and to book tickets for Party Games and future productions at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford please use the link below. Party Games will then be going on tour, check out the British Theatre Guide link for details.

https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/welcome

https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/listings/4320