Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, the original writers of the classic TV series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister have reunited for this anniversary production which has received universal critical and public acclaim during both its initial season at Chichester Festival Theatre and current run at the Gielgud Theatre. In both locations the production has played to capacity audiences. Read more …
Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby face a country in financial meltdown. The only prospect of salvation comes from morally dubious allies – leading to deliciously comic consequences.
Antony Jay has enjoyed a distinguished career as writer, broadcaster and producer. He was founder and editor of the BBC’s legendary Tonight programme, is the editor of The Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations, and author of Elizabeth R and two acclaimed documentaries on the Royal Family. He is a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Jonathan Lynn’s prolific career spans more than four decades as a director, screenwriter, producer and actor in films, television and theatre, as well as best-selling author and novelist. As well as co-writing, he will be directing this stage version of Yes, Prime Minister. His film credits as director include The Whole Nine Yards, The Fighting Temptations, The Distinguished Gentleman, My Cousin Vinny and Nuns on the Run (which he also wrote).
Jay and Lynn’s BAFTA award-winning political comedy Yes, Minister first aired on BBC2 in 1980 and ran until 1984. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister ran from 1986 until 1988.
Lynn and Jay also wrote three novels, The Complete Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, Volumes 1 and 2, which cumulatively sold more than a million copies in hardback, were on the British top-ten bestseller list for three years and have been translated into numerous languages.
In the second half, writers Antony Jay and Lynn swap the familiar games of cat and mouse between politician and civil servant for a brilliantly absurd finale that will leave you wondering what really goes on behind the closed doors of our political elite.
There’s no denying it’s an enjoyable romp.
No matter how much Simon Williams’s Sir Humphrey and Richard McCabe’s Hacker wangle their way out of the deepest of doo-doo, in an age where politicians are being imprisoned for improprieties both sexual and monetary, as with the bankers, we need more.
It's difficult to gainsay the sheer professionalism of a show full of inspired pieces of comic business; and rich, as Lynn and Jay's work always has been, in sharp if finally unchallenging insights into the inner workings of the British state.
An enduring and relevant piece of theatre.
Funny, witty, entertaining and thought-provoking, this regeneration of the classic comedy is a theatrical delight which proves political comedy is as good as it has ever been.
For us it was totally lacking in humour, cleverness or subtlety - everything that made the original so wonderful.
Interview: Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, actors
Simon says 'yes' to a prime role on stage
Political farce still in its prime
King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday March 8, 2011, until Saturday March 12, 2011. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Monday May 23, 2011, until Saturday May 28, 2011. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Monday June 20, 2011, until Saturday June 25, 2011. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
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