Scandaltown – Lyric Hammersmith
Mike Bartlett's Scandaltown is contemporary London writ very large - big, crass, rollicking London as Restoration comedy. As Cromwell banned theatre in the 17th Century, and Covid managed to do the same in the 21st, both led to a restoration of theatre to (hopefully) their former glory. In Scandaltown there are debauched parties, lies, social media manipulation and cancel culture putting the reputation and power of London's political and social elite at stake. So, it's just about as topical as it gets. The story centres on the thoroughly woke Phoebe Virtue who, when she hears news (on Instagram of course) that her twin brother Jack is up to no good in London, she heads to town to find and save him. In true comedy fashion, she disguises herself as a man and persuades Jenny, Freddie a...