This House

A sell-out hit at the National Theatre and in the West End, James Graham’s biting, energetic and critically-acclaimed play This House comes to Edinburgh. Read more …

Roll back to 1974. The corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backbiting as Britain’s political parties battle to change the future of the nation, whatever it takes.

In an era of chaos, both hilarious and shocking, fist fights break out in the parliamentary bars, high-stake tricks and games are played, while sick or dying MPs are carried through the lobby to register their crucial votes as the government hangs by a thread.

With a live band on stage playing music from the era (including songs by David Bowie and the Sex Pistols) and a cast of 22, including top actors like Matthew Pidgeon, who last appeared on our stage as James III in The James Plays.

Set within the House of Commons, there are a limited number of on stage seats where you can get close to the action within the Chamber and even have a drink at one of the Westminster Bars during the interval.

The critical consensus

It’s an unmissable piece of brilliant theatre about a remarkable time in British political history that shows all too clearly the dire need to overhaul the whole crumbing shebang.

(*) Justine Blundell, Edinburgh Guide, 28/03/2018

This is an undoubtedly slick, clever and very high-quality piece of theatre – whatever the location.

(*) Tamarin Fountain, The Wee Review, 28/03/2018

A play celebrating of the best and the worst of times where political passion, vulnerability and eccentricity contrast with contemporary media-savvy manipulation, ideological conceit and dishonesty.

(*) John Kennedy, The Edinburgh Reporter, 28/03/2018

In the programme notes, Graham talks about the parliament of period being the most dramatic that many people can remember and says he hopes he has done it justice. Sadly, he hasn’t.

(*) (*) (*) Tom Ralphs, The Reviews Hub, 28/03/2018

Graham’s set up is part-Shakespearian, with most MPs addressed by their constituency name, and part Horrible Histories, as ageing politicians are wheeled from their death-beds to vote.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 29/03/2018