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If THEY thought they'd finally escaped publicity about their Oxford antics, David Cameron and Boris Johnson are going to be disappointed: now they can look forward to a play inspired by the Bullingdon Club - just in time for next year's general election campaign.
Posh, written by Laura Wade for the Royal Court, is based on Oxbridge dining clubs such as the Bullingdon, to which the Tory leader and Mayor belonged. Announced today as part of the Court's new season, it tells of 10 privileged young men who believe they are born to rule and meet for a night of debauchery at the fictional Riot Club.
Wade, 32, began work on the play a couple of years ago and it will run from 9 April to 22 May. Wade said she was interested in the social network of the clubs: "If you have to ask to join you're not the right sort of chap. I'm fascinated by that kind of herding, especially given the parallels with what we all suspect might be our next government. I think it's very important to ask questions about how someone's wealth or upbringing affects what they do or what they believe and what they can understand of the rest of the world."
The Bristol University graduate, who lives in north London, spoke to members of Oxbridge dining clubs but found informed outsiders more useful: "People who have been in one of those societies tend to play it down because it doesn't make them look good."
The relationship between Johnson and Cameron was explored in the Channel 4 docu-drama When Boris Met Dave this month. Interviewers spoke to friends of the two politicians, as well as Mr Johnson's sister Rachel, to show their "different approaches to power" at Eton and Oxford.
Posh is one of a series of plays about class in the Royal Court's programme. Dominic Cook, artistic director of the venue in Sloane Square, wants to stage plays about the middle classes as well as the gritty working classes for which the theatre is known.
