This House, the critically acclaimed political drama will transfer to the Garrick Theatre in London in November 2016.
This House will open soon at the Chichester Festival, having played two sell-out seasons at the National Theatre.
1974. The UK faces economic crisis and a hung parliament. In a culture hostile to cooperation, it’s a period when votes are won or lost by one, when there are fist fights in the bars and when sick MPs are carried through the lobby to register their vote. It’s a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and the building creaks under idiosyncrasies and arcane traditions.
Set in the engine rooms of Westminster, James Graham’s This House strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes: the whips who roll up their sleeves and on occasion bend the rules to shepherd and coerce a diverse chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.
Writer, James Graham commented, ‘This House was a very surprising and completely remarkable experience for me when produced at the National 3 years ago. The idea that it’s going to find new audiences again is really brilliant and I’m so grateful. We’re no longer in a hung parliament – like the 1970s equivalent depicted in the play – but in some ways I think it’s become more relevant as more of us are deeply questioning the effectiveness and viability of our current political systems, here and around the world.’
This House will be directed by Jeremy Herrin. Casting is to be announced.
