James Graham’s docudrama was first seen at the National Theatre in 2012. Jeremy Herrin’s fast-moving and exhilarating production is in excellent shape. I enjoyed it just as much second time round. The play will appeal to anybody who wants to know what goes on behind closed doors at Westminster. The script is witty and the wheeling and dealing hugely entertaining.
The action begins in 1974 with a hung parliament and ends with Labour’s defeat five years later. With a majority of only three, and then a majority of only one, Labour is liable at any minute to be outvoted on a vote of no confidence and kicked out of office. The British do what they have always done in such circumstances. They muddle through. The whips are under enormous pressure to get members to vote and that means that the sick and even the dying have to be persuaded to turn up.
The acting is excellent. Steffan Rhodri and Nathaniel Parker are totally convincing as rival whips and especially so in that moving moment when one of them behaves with unexpected decency and magnanimity.