Review: I'M MARGARET THATCHER, I IS! by AnyStage Theater Company At Capital Fringe

I'm Margaret Thatcher, I Is!, directed by Lucette Moran for Capital Fringe Festival veterans AnyStage Theater Company, is an absurd and entirely fictional romp through the life and times of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Co-writers and performers Zack Walsh and David Koenigsberg developed I'm Margaret Thatcher, I Is! with precisely zero knowledge about Maggie. In their world, Maggie fights a time traveling clone assassin and is a contemporary of Sherlock Holmes, Thomas Jefferson, and Jack the Ripper. Bravo! I'm like, 97% sure none of that actually happened.

Walsh, Koenigsberg, and their co-star Aria Velz take turns being Maggie. Koenigsberg takes on her days as a child miner, Walsh leads the Pinball Wizards into battle during World War II, and Velz navigates a crippling horse tranquilizer addiction. The dormant Maggies are kept busy, guest starring as Queen Elizabeth II or a poppyhoffer, just one of many made-up, British-sounding words sprinkled liberally throughout the production. The role of Maggie requires a hefty amount of physical comedy. Walsh, Koenigsberg, and Velz spend a lot of time rolling across the stage in pink pencil skirts and each contribute their own peculiar and entirely watchable take on the life and times of the Iron Lady.

For those of you keen on a meaningful theatre (pronounced dramatically, duh) experience, be assured that I'm Margaret Thatcher, I Is! is a super-serious portrayal of the depths of trials and tribulations suffered by artists in the name of art (capital A-R-T). I'm Margaret Thatcher, I Is! is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of comedy for the comedian's sake. And if they're having fun, you're having fun too.

I'm also happy to report that despite of the rigors of the Fringe Festival experience, there were no technical glitches. Don't be fooled by all the silliness, this is a slick and professional production.

Running Time: 1 hour, no intermission

For more information on show times and tickets for I'M MARGARET THATCHER, I IS! and the Capital Fringe Festi click here.