The setting might be more Camp David than Chequers, but Margaret Thatcher is back, with her prancing assistants Strong and Stable. Matt Tedford's Iron Lady is now a game show host, and that means contestants, and guest stars. The former are drawn, without overmuch pressure, from audience members, the latter offer S&S to play a range of political and TV celebrities. It's arch, it's tacky, it's amusing and there's a bit of real satire thrown in.
Song and dance routines, silly games based on old TV favourites where contestants get to destroy the NHS and rip up human rights, and the puncturing of political posturing. Pure entertainment that flirts with serious issues - and has had rewrites during the run as real life events impact on the script. Tedford is a solid presence at the centre of the mayhem, a parody Thatcher that's far more likeable than the original, and the sidekicks get plenty chances to show their own comic abilities as the targets come thick and fast - brexit chaos to the fore, but also the acolytes of Corbyn and the likelihood of Scottish independence. All done with the glitz and glamour of low budget daytime TV.
It's a lot of fun, and who couldn't love a show featuring Angela Merkel planting her fist solidly into Niggle Fuhrage's smug visage?
Margaret Thatcher Queen of Game Shows is on in the Piccolo George Square at 21.00 until 27 August.
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