Will Brexit boost or break West End shows? Would This House characters have voted Trump or Clinton? Who secretly wants to date Chukka Umunna? Read our Q&A with the cast of the West End’s top political drama This House as the stars reveal all!
This House previously played two sell-out runs at the National Theatre, and received unprecedented critical praise. Set between the fateful years of 1974 and 1979 with fist fights in Parliament and Labour facing a vote of no confidence, This House strikes a chord today as we once again lurch from crisis to political crisis.
This House is directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things) and written by James Graham (The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse and Channel 4’s Coalition). Graham’s play Privacy is set to open in New York, starring Daniel Radcliffe.
Giles Taylor (The Members Chorus)
Speaker 1, Sergeant 2, West Lothian and Ensemble
What was your first professional job?
Aladdin at the Thameside Theatre, Grays
This House deals with party politics in the 1970s. Do you think parliament is a very different place today?
I think it is filled with far more careerist politicians now, out for their own personal gain. In the 1970s MPs really believed their party’s policies and felt passionately about them.
If your character could vote in the US election, do you think they would have voted for Clinton or Trump?
Clinton
How do you think the Brexit vote will affect West End Theatres?
I hope it will mean that punters reach for theatre either for escapism or to reflect their own fears and insecurities in this uncertain age, and to reconnect with their humanity.
In a single sentence, why do you think audiences love This House?
I think they are surprised by how entertaining it is, when they expect a dry, political drama.
Can you name your own MP (without using google!)?
Catherine West
Politics is often described as show-business for ugly people. If you HAD to go on a date with a politician, who would you choose and where would you go?
Chuka Umunna – and we’d go to see This House, of course!
David Hounslow (Joe Harper)
What was your first professional job?
Soldier, served seven years in the Royal Corps of Signals
If you were standing for parliament, what would your manifesto promise be?
A huge social housing building program.
Would your character have voted for Clinton or Trump?
Clinton
How do you think the Brexit vote will affect West End Theatres?
In the medium term could see a slight dip in European numbers but will recover.
In a single sentence, why do you think audiences love This House?
The outstanding writing, fast paced, funny and moving.
Can you name your own MP (without using google!)?
Chuka Umunna
Politics is often described as show-business for ugly people. If you HAD to go on a date with a politician, who would you choose and where would you go?
Dennis Skinner and take him to Brasserie Zedel!
Malcolm Sinclair: Humphrey Atkins
If you were standing for parliament, what would your manifesto promise be?
There IS such a thing as Society.
This House deals with party politics in the 1970s. Do you think parliament is a very different place today?
Somewhat different. Class divisions are less obvious.
Would your character have voted for Clinton or Trump?
Clinton, reluctantly
How do you think the Brexit vote will affect West End Theatres?
Badly.
In a single sentence, why do you think audiences love This House?
In the form of a brilliant comedy thriller, it tells a wonderful story, which surprises us with its relevance.
Can you name your own MP (without using google!)?
Jim MacPatrick?
Christopher Godwin: The Members Chorus
Batley, Woolwich West, Belfast North, Western Isles and Ensemble
If you were standing for parliament, what would your manifesto promise be?
To make sure funding for the Arts and Music in schools is kept up. The Arts keep a culture healthy.
This House deals with party politics in the 1970s. Do you think parliament is a very different place today?
I do think Parliament is different. MPs have become more career focused and less ideological and altruistic.
Would your character have voted for Clinton or Trump?
Definitely not Trump. It would have to be Clinton. Not an ideal choice but a damn sight better than the demagogue they’ve elected.
How do you think the Brexit vote will affect West End Theatres?
It could go either way. The weak pound may encourage visitors from abroad which would favour Musicals mostly, I suppose. It will make it more difficult for straight plays. If the funding for Theatre gets cut any more the long term effect will be a diminution of quality and it will be harder to get a proper fee.
If you HAD to go on a date with a politician, who would you choose and where would you go?
I would choose Tracy Brabin who’s just been elected MP for Batley. She’s taken over from Jo Cox, so tragically murdered in June, and is now representing the Doc’s old constituency.
In a single sentence, why do you think audiences love This House?
The opportunity to peep behind the scenes of Parliament is irresistible, and thanks to James (the show’s writer), it’s all true!
Buy tickets now for This House at the Garrick Theatre – booking until February 25th 2017. Performances are at 7:30pm every day excluding Sundays, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2:30pm.
Running time 2 hours and 55 minutes, including one 20-minute interval.
Casting includes Phil Daniels (Les Miserables, EastEnders), Nathaniel Parker (Wolf Hall), Steffan Rhodri (The Mentalists, Harry Potter), Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey) as Michael Cocks, Malcolm Sinclair as Humphrey Atkins, Sarah Woodward as Lady Batley, David Hounslow as Joe Harper, Ed Hughes as Fred Silvester and Lauren O’Neil (Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders) as Ann Taylor. Further cast members include Christopher Godwin, Peter Landi, Matthew Pidgeon, Tony Turner, Giles Taylor and Orlando Wells.
This House is recommended for ages 14 and up.
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