Yes Prime Minister

In 1982, Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn penned the first episodes of Yes Minister for the BBC. It was an instant hit. Their characters and situations revealed, to a largely unsuspecting public, the deliciously awkward marriage between civil servants and politicians. Twenty-five years later these brilliant wordsmiths have done it again and this time it’s a hit play !

It’s 2011. A lot has happened since the Rt Hon. Jim Hacker MP last walked the corridors of Whitehall.  There’s the GFC, rising oil prices, minority governments, illegal immigrants and global warming.  If that’s not enough to contend with, the 24 hour news cycle, constant bleating of mobile phones, endless emails and a new generation of spin doctors. Ably assisted by Cabinet Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, and Principal Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley, these three most loved characters from the hit BBC series gather once more to sort out another very thorny problem.

Since its opening in September 2010 at London’s Gielgud Theatre Yes, Prime Minister has been the toast of British theatregoers.  The play will bring the riotous inner workings of Westminster to the Australian Stage for the first time.

This is the first ever stage play of Yes, Prime Minister from the original writers of the hit BBC TV series. Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay have honed their razor sharp wits once more to create a riveting and hilarious dilemma for Britain’s most trusted leader.

Set in the present day, in the oak panelled drawing room at Chequers, the British Prime Minister’s official country residence, the Embattled PM, Sir Humphrey and Bernard face their greatest challenge yet.  With help and hindrance from inquisitive journalists, a new generation of special advisors, the Director General of the BBC and an oil rich Ambassador with a most disturbing interest in foreign affairs, the play engages audiences with the best of comedy and the worst of politics.

Starring Tony Llewllyn-Jones as the cynical Cabinet Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, alongside familiar Australian TV star Mark Owen-Taylor (All Saints, A Country Practice) playing the embattled Prime Minister Jim Hacker, and John Lloyd-Fillingham (UK’s National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company) as the hapless assistant, Bernard Woolley.

For more information on Yes Prime Minister
www.yesprimeminister.com.au

The Arts Centre, Gold Coast

17 – 19 May

Tickets from www.theartscentregc.com.au

 Playhouse, QPAC

4 – 29 July

Tickets from www. qpac.com.au