James Graham’s Olivier Award-nominated political drama This House will make its long awaited West End premiere at the Garrick Theatre this November.
The news comes following years of anticipation that the critically acclaimed play would find a West End home following two hugely successful runs at the National Theatre three years ago.
The much-anticipated return of Graham’s play will once again be directed by its Olivier Award-nominated creator Jeremy Herrin, Artistic Director of Headlong and the man behind another of the National Theatre’s most recent West End successes, the multi award-winning People, Places & Things.
Set in the engine rooms of Westminster, 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.
This House is set in the turbulent times of 1974, when a hung parliament and economic crisis led to fist fights in the parliamentary bars and votes were won or lost by one. Four decades on and it remains a timely reminder of our democracy, as Graham explained, commenting: “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.”
Reuniting two of the UK’s most exciting theatremakers, with Graham’s recent triumphs including the Donmar Warehouse’s Privacy and the forthcoming Soho Theatre transfer of Monster Raving Looney, This House will play at the Garrick Theatre from 19 November following an upcoming run at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre.
Commenting on its return, Herrin said: “There’s a joyful theatricality in the way This House represents our parliamentary process, with all its ludicrous quirks… There has always been such good will around this show, so it’s brilliant we can share it with more people at the Garrick, an appropriate stone’s throw away from the House of Commons.”
The production will also feature a set created by the show’s original designer Rae Smith, who won plaudits for transforming the National Theatre into the Houses of Parliament.
Casting is still to be announced.