Morning:
14°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Jack Milner.
Cast: Mark Wingett, Melanie Hill, Russell Floyd, Robert Fyfe, Johanne Murdock
Description: Jack Milner directs Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood's satirical comedy following events surrounding the fictional death of former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
Trains: Tube/BR: Euston/King's Cross 
Phone: 0870033 2600
Website: www.theshawtheatre.com
Extra info: Pub
This firebrand is for turning: Melanie Hill and Mark Wingett in the engaging political drama Maggie’s End at the Shaw
We've been here before. While last year’s The Death of Margaret Thatcher was the Michael Foot of dead-Tory-leader drama, Maggie’s End has the perky feel of early edition Tony Blair.
The fact that its lead sponsor is the North-East area branch of the NUM gives a fair idea of where its sympathies lie, but whether we agree with writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood or not, we can’t help but admire their nifty illustration of how British politics has slipped inexorably into a murky middle-ground. There’s little messing about with the scenario. Mrs T has died, and the Labour government, represented by oily Home Secretary Neil Callaghan (Russell Floyd), is intent on giving her a state funeral and damn the consequences. We spy trouble ahead when we learn that Callaghan’s PPS, the ambitious Rosa (Johanne Murdock), comes from a family so traditionally Left-wing it traces its allegiance back to Keir Hardie. Dad Leon (Mark Wingett), now a raddled politics lecturer, was even imprisoned as a poll tax refusenik.
Admittedly there are times when Jack Milner’s production limps along, propelled by some good jokes (“Did you actually see somebody put a stake through her heart?” elicits the loudest laugh) and generous reserves of Attlee-era sentiment from the audience.
Nevertheless, it brims appealingly with undeniable passion, something that few dramas boast for all their intellectual posturing. David Hare’s recent Gethsemane, for instance, a similar lament about the corrosion of traditional Labour values, might have been more elegant, but it had less oomph.
The committed cast could do with remembering that the preaching needs to extend beyond row F of the converted, and project accordingly. Occasionally they look exposed on this large playing area, Callaghan and Rosa carrying on — in every sense of the phrase — stage right, and Leon and his fiery second wife Susie (Melanie Hill) across from them. When Rosa traverses those few metres of no-man’s-land, we fully believe she has journeyed from Westminster back home to a chilly reception in the North-East.
Maggie’s End might toy with Old Tories and New Labour, but what it boils down to is that always-engaging clash between pragmatism and idealism, of decent people in impossible situations wondering if they have the strength to stand up and be counted. Murdock skilfully makes us both root and fear for Rosa, whereas Wingett compels as a firebrand turned damp squib who might just have one last spark left in him. In this instance at least, vote Thatcher.
Until 18 April. Box office: 0871 594 3123. www.theshawtheatre.com
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
