Maggie’s back in town, this time with a new domain to rule. Matt Tedford returns as the Iron Lady after 10 years of success as ‘Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho’ at the Fringe, handbag on arm and bouffant set, to take the former PM across the Pond. The room vibrates with excited anticipation, and we’re off with an Oscar presentation and a revelry of celebrated ego with our opening song/thank you speech complete with dancing show-people.
It’s an unmistakable cabaret vibe to this musical comedy satire. We’re all on board the good ship Maggie and Telford shines with a top notch new script penned by himself, Jon Brittain and Tasha Dhanraj, dusted with a few ad libbed audience connections. The premise is simple and enjoyably outré: Mags has been scouted to play herself in a Hollywood remake of The Iron Lady. Once there she encounters a sleazy producer, dodgy contracts, Gen Z actresses, and Meryl Streep.
Placing the 80s capitalist hardly feminist protagonist in modern day Lalaland is ripe for satire, and the show dives into that with relish. She’s the anti-hero we’re rooting for, up against equally larger than life characters and obstacles (top dollar performances from Rosalie Minnitt and Kathy Maniura), singing and dancing and possibly even learning a life lesson by the end, with the cartoon amplification of a late-night camp panto.
So, more important than anything I have to say; were the fans of ‘Soho’ happy with this new ‘Hollywood’ incarnation? Absolutely. Their uproarious cheers and flooding of the stage for quick pics with the stage set says it all.
Margaret Thatcher Queen of Hollywood, 20.40, Piccolo Tent at Assembly George Square Gardens, 5-30 August (except 18th)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/margaret-thatcher-queen-of-hollywood
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