EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW INTERVIEWS: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho

By: Natalie O'Donoghue Jul. 25, 2014

BWW:UK speaks to the writers of what promises to be a highly original cabaret show at this year's Edinburgh festival.

Tell us a bit of background about your performance.

Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is a musical comedy cabaret extravaganza about my journey from being Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to one of the greatest all round entertainers in the world. In truth it came together rather quickly, when I first had the idea to write about my wonderful life I cracked my knuckles, got down to work, put pen to paper and promptly wrote a cheque to two playwrights to write it for me. And as soon as the project was announced Meryl Streep got in contact and I must say that throughout the whole process she made some truly excellent tea.

We first performed a short version of the show at Theatre503's ThatcherWrite festival in 2013 before expanding it to a full length play which we performed there at Christmas and for which we received rave reviews ('Glorious camps with political punch' - The Times, 'Hilarious' - SoSoGay and 'Less than respectful' - The Telegraph'). After that I went on tour, performing the show at the Brighton Fringe where I won an Argus Angel Award for artistic excellence and at the Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival where I won the award for Best Male Performance (I don't know why I was entered into the male category either!).

What musical highlights can we expect?

Oh, too many to name, dear. Unfortunately I have had to make a few cuts. I won't be performing some of the songs I'm most closely associated with, songs that talk about my attitude towards single parents ('All That She Wants (is another baby'), or my experience with the Falklands ('Don't Cry for me Argentina') or even my all-twerking cover of Blurred Lines. They're all off the set list in favour of more personal low key numbers, so expect to see YMCA, It's Raining Men, Venus and all the other hits of the 80s - obviously given a little Iron Lady overhaul.

Which important political issues are covered?

Oh, all of them, dear: The Falklands, the miners' strikes, Kylie Minogue's departure from Neighbours - all the big events of the 80s are covered. There's Laughter, tears, a cameo from Ian McKellen, my show has it all! But mostly it's all about a little piece of legislation called Section 28 that banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools. And along the way I'll clash with an MP called Jill Knight and a rather hunky fella with a bit of a crush on me by the name of Peter Tatchell. Unfortunately my husband Denis will no longer be performing his comedy routines as a warm-up, not after the 'incident' at my last show. He's in racial sensitivity classes for the foreseeable future and has been officially banned from Birmingham.

What sets your show apart from other cabaret acts at the festival?

Me, dear. Me.

Do you have any other must-see acts?

Oh absolutely, I hear that my good friend Bill Clinton will be performing in Bill Clinton Hercules (although hopefully I can keep him at arm's length, he does get a bit handsy), my long-lost son Boris Johnson will be there as well in Kingmaker, my drinking buddy Gordon Brown will be performing his Confession of Gordon Brown show, and of course I must get along to see the Ladyboys of Bangkok with my old friend Jim Davidson - he's a big fan.

Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho starts previews on July 31st and runs until August 24th.

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EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW INTERVIEWS: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho

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