★★★★
Where would we be without Maggie, eh? She might’ve been born a 100 years ago, but her spectre still haunts us to this day. The irony is that one of the most reviled political figures of the post-war era has been immortalised by so many films, plays and pastiches – the real Margaret Thatcher has been transformed into this sanitised (satanized?) icon.
The iconography of Thatcher is the focus of Matt Tedford’s and Jon Brittain’s latest ‘Queen of’ instalment. After the phenomenal success of Queen of Soho, and the inspired brilliance of Queen of Gameshows, Hollywood seems the natural next step.
The story of Maggie playing herself in a remake of The Iron Lady, is an excuse to satirise the corruption and abuse of the Hollywood system, with caricatures of predatory moguls, vapid Gen-Z groupies and even Meryl Streep (All played brilliantly by Kathy Maniura and Rosalie Minnitt). The political satire that shaped the previous shows is lighter, but there are still niche references peppered throughout. It feels like the cabaret element has taken a front seat, with a lot more musical numbers.
Anyone who has ever seen Tedford’s performance of Thatcher knows how he inhabits the former PM with eerie accuracy. She is manifest before us, with a coquettish wink and oddly likeable demeanour. Perhaps it was that pathological charisma that won over the nation at three consecutive elections?
This may not have the genius of the original Queen Of Soho, but with Maggie returning for a 10th year, it would be heartbreaking not have the handbag wielding witch tearing up the Royal Mile. The team deserve kudos for developing something new. Ultimately Tedford does the impossible, he makes Maggie a figure of joy, and one we want to return to again and again.
