I’m Sorry, Prime Minister-Woking Theatre.

I’m Sorry, Prime Minister is the final chapter of the popular 1980’s television series Yes, Minister. Sir Humphrey Appleby (Clive Francis) and Jim Hacker (Simon Rouse) are way past retirement age, and as ex Prime Minister Hacker has been asked to step down from his position in Oxford University. Which will also mean losing his lodge (home), too.

The play opens with Hacker interviewing for a new carer/ care worker Sophie, played by Princess Donnough, a black, lesbian graduate who studied at the same Oxford college as Hacker However, her experience was far less positive than his, and he struggled to understand why she didn’t enjoy going there as its the best University you can go to!

The interview is interrupted by a visit from the Grim Reaper/ Sir David (William Chubb) who delivers some bad news to Hacker. unsurprisingly, he is going to fight against. Well, if he can find anyone sane or alive that he knows who might be able to help him.

However, during his Prime Minister days, he could always rely on Sir Humphrey to come up with a solution and help save the day. Life and attitudes have moved on since the days of being in charge of the country. When it transpires that Hacker has made offensive comments at a recent public event and proves he is out of touch with the world, the two privileged men once knew. Even some relatively quick thinking from Sir Humphrey isn’t going to make any difference.

I’m Sorry, Prime Minister, is a sharp and witty comedy written and directed by BAFTA Award-winner Jonathan Lynn. Sir Humphrey has some excellent one-liners, and his wit often gets lost on his former colleague, which makes it funnier watching a bewildered ex Prime Minister out of his depth in the evolved “woke” world that no longer tolerates his attitude and language against anyone else who isn’t a “white privileged male.”