Last year’s hit production of Yes, Prime Minister is to return to the West End this summer, playing at the Apollo theatre from 6 July to 17 September.
The show proved a success at the Gielgud theatre in 2010 with a cast led by David Haig as British PM Jim Hacker and Henry Goodman as Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. When the comedy returns to London, the roles made famous by the original television series will be played by Richard McCabe and Simon Williams, who are currently starring in the touring production.
Adapted for the stage by the 1980s sitcom’s original writers, Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay, Yes, Prime Minister puts a contemporary spin on the political manoeuvring of the PM and his wily Cabinet Secretary with a storyline involving global warming, prostitution and financial meltdown.
Williams is a familiar face on stage and screen. Probably still best known for the original television series of Upstairs Downstairs and sitcom Don’t Wait Up, his more recent TV credits include Spooks, Dinnerladies and Above Suspicion. Williams also has a substantial stage CV, with credits including The Power Of Yes at the National Theatre, See How They Run at the Shaftesbury theatre and The Deep Blue Sea at the Vaudeville theatre.
McCabe is an Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company, for whom he has appeared in numerous productions, including Twelfth Night in the West End last year. He has also worked frequently at the National Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, where this production of Yes, Prime Minister originated. McCabe’s screen work includes Wallander, Spooks and the film Notting Hill.
Currently playing at the Apollo theatre is Blithe Spirit, which ends its run on 18 June.
CB