Currently playing in the Lowry’s Quays Theatre and following four sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe is the ‘smash hit drag extravaganza’ Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho. This big gay odyssey about LGBT rights and the Section 28 amendment to the Local Government Act of 1988 is pretty much a whistle stop tour of the 1980s and the homophobic battle within the Conservative Party to push the legislation through.
Our hero in this battle, the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; our villain, the then MP for Birmingham Edgbaston. Jill Knight. As battle commenced, pantomime style and accompanied by the hi energy hits of the time, a punk Peter Tatchell, the ghost of Winston Churchill, the kids from Grange Hill, The A Team and the Weather Girls, the joyous chaos that followed kept the enraptured audience on their edge of their seats for the full 80 minutes of absolute hilarity, cleverly constructed narrative and probably the best off script/ad lib moments I have seen in theatre.
Matt Tedford as Margaret Thatcher can only be described as utterly brilliant. He looks the part, sounds the part, and utterly embodies the role, successfully combining that strict Headmistressy vibe with a coquettish viper.
Anyone who can get this old school socialist cheering on the woman she has most despised throughout her whole life must have a certain brilliance and Tedford dominated and owned the stage throughout. Accompanied by the equally excellent Paul Heath and Jacob Jackson as The Wets, the trio pulled off every gag, every character and every camp song and dance routine with style.
The narrative was hilarious and even nostalgic; set and costumes were imaginative and daring, musical choices were rousing with cleverly adapted lyrics and running gags, such as Carole Thatcher on the lighting desk, worked to great effect; but the really exciting and effective ability to go of script, to react to the audience’s reaction was what made this piece truly exceptional.
Razor sharp observations, devastating political comment and the immediate pouncing on any opportunity to bring the audience into the fore gave us a rollercoaster experience that we loved. It gave the performance a sense that this one was ours. Different to the one before and no doubt it will be different tonight, making what was performed unique to us.
This was a clever, well researched, brilliantly presented show by an excellent cast and I would go again and cheer on Maggie willingly.
Reviewer: Lou Kershaw
Reviewed: 10th September 2024
North West End UK Rating: