Party Games, a brand new satirical political comedy, is on tour ahead of the nation going to the polls in July.
Matthew Cottle and Debra Stephenson in Party Games! | Photo © Craig Fuller
Historically these satirical pieces written by “insiders” provide a biting backroom view of politics and the various personalities who drive the political juggernaut, writing speeches and organising politicians are insightful and entertaining.
Set in 2026, Party Games! sees John Waggner, newly elected leader of the hastily formed centrist One Nation Party, presiding over a hung parliament, a discontented electorate and striking cheesemakers.
He and his power-hungry MPs must cling on to authority through whatever shaky means possible. Can one man, a Svengali spin doctor, and some dodgy data unite the country? And what role can his wife, the King and a large spider play in keeping the lights on, not to mention his trusty AI.
The usual stereotypes are out in force and without question it is a high-calibre cast given the responsibility of presenting a script that falls flat from the outset; seeking only to reconcile itself with repetitive fart jokes and toilet humour. Whilst a prang with a protestor and the King’s Car outside Buckingham Palace escalated to public unrest and terror.
Whilst there are no topical updates to the script that could have made it a little more interesting such as the post office scandals or the ongoing dispute over immigration, there is a nod to the ring of steel around Bath being changed for better steel.
Many of the jokes fail because it simply feels too close to home and the chaos that the electorate find themselves in reflects the fact that the remaining jokes regarding NHS and Brexit could have come straight from a Government briefing.
The cast soldier bravely on through Act 2 where little is rescued and the predictability of the earlier “set ups” come to fruition. But it feels as if the script has missed a genuine opportunity to vie with “The Thick of It” or “Yes Prime Minister” which is essentially disappointing.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
