Thatcher-rite

11 years after her death, Thatcher’s influence on British politics still haunts us. The mother of austerity is revered freely by any politician trying to appeal to the right, whether they are Conservative or not. Jack Boal’s clown show/ performance art piece/ tea party invites you to contend with her influence over a cucumber sandwich.

Our jamboree begins with a pale faced drag Maggie, boiling the kettle for her guests arrival, to the sound of the real Thatcher's voice echoing eerily through the speakers. The table is set for 5, and throughout the performance will be filled via random allocation, with awkward looking audience members. This format is as hilarious as it is terrifying. You never feel safe from the prospect of getting picked.

The audience participation encourages an interesting debate about Thatcher that will vary one night to the next. The conversation is aided by interview footage, question time snippets from the era, and a brilliant metaphor for trickle down economics using unequally distributed party food. All this is washed down with 80’s bops and intermittent dance routines.

Boal’s own attitude towards the Iron Lady is complicated, seemingly flipping between disdain and inspiration. One moment the audience is encouraged to sing ‘ding dong the witch is dead’ and the next we hear Jack’s admiration of her ability to ‘get things done’. Growing up in her constituency it’s clear whatever his feelings are, her ideas have been inescapable, an unfortunate reality we can all relate to.

It’s utterly bonkers, and bloody confusing at times, but in the end it doesn’t really matter. Whilst you're unlikely to be pulled too far from your existing view on Margaret Thatcher, you will leave reflecting on whether in a general election year, it’s time to finally bury her legacy for good.

Thatcher-rite was at the Artsdepot for one night only in London. You can next catch the show at Sheffield theatres on the 8th of June