Below is an interview to promote Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho in 2015. The drag/cabaret satire became a big hit and now here's the long-awaited comeback. Margaret Thatcher Queen of Hollywood sees the Iron Lady return to the Assembly George Square Gardens Piccolo at the Edinburgh Fringe for the month of August.
“Rejoice - just like the threat of imminent nuclear war, I’m back! I’ve finally shaken off the hangover from my last fringe and I’m happy to announce that the Lady IS for returning - with a blockbusting musical adventure all about my time as a bigshot Hollywood movie star... and also how I managed to end sexism forever! So, if you’re all ready for my close up - LIGHTS! CAMERAS!MAGGIE!” Margaret Thatcher
The sequel to Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho sees Her Mag-es-ty jetting off to tinsel town to play herself in a musical reboot of the Iron Lady and a Prime MiniSTAR is born! Will she get the better of her arch-nemesis Meryl Streep? Is there something slightly suspicious about her producer Harvey Sexpest? More importantly, will she find a moment to ugly-cry her way to Oscar glory?
It is written by Margaret Thatcher herself - Matt Tedford - alongside Olivier Award-winner Jon Brittain and WGGB Award-winner Tasha Dhanraj, with songs penned by Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones (their first new collaboration since the West End hit Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!). Definitely not suitable for miners. Expect sequins, satire and singalong tunes such as "Thank You Me" "Prime MiniSuperstar" "We Can All Look Out for Number One... Together" and "Give Me My Oscar!"
“Just when I thought I was out, she’s dragged me back in. I’m delighted to be returning to the fringe with a brand-new Maggie show. In fact, I’ve now been doing Thatcher in Edinburgh longer than she was in office - what started as a Halloween costume has gotten really out of hand!” Matt Tedford
Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo Tent 8.40pm, 5th – 30th August (not 18th). Tickets at edfringe.com
Like the real-life person that inspired this fictional version, Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is something of a phenomenon. This show started off as a small fringe thing and later this month it has a run at the Leicester Square Theatre. It is a catchy all-singing, all-dancing alternative comedy version of the late-PM's time in office that I don't think she ever envisaged – somehow she becomes a gay icon. You will have to buy a ticket to find out how.
The satire clearly touches a nerve. When it was performed at Latitude last summer I happened to walk past the tent afterwards and Matt Tedford, who plays MT, was still in costume and was being mobbed for pictures. The whole caboodle is co-written by Tedford and Jon Brittain, who directed John Kearns' Edinburgh shows and also, I suspect had a hand in the answers below, what with the real Maggie being unavailable. The story below about Ken Barlow, by the way, is clearly a joke.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
Google myself, post a selfie and then check my privilege (it’s doing wonderfully!)
2. What irritates you?
Apart from socialists, other women and inquiries into whether or not I knew anything about paedophile rings in 1980s Westminister, what irritates me most is when a certain Evening Standard critic describes me as looking like the lead singer of Depeche Mode (ed - she/he means me, and I actually meant guitarist Martin Gore, pictured. And I stand by my comment. This critic is not for turning). Still, I’m sure you didn’t mean it, dear.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I walked down a street in the North of England once. Without a bulletproof vest or anything. Luckily it was 8pm so everyone was watching Coronation Street. But it remains one of the most harrowing experiences of my lfie. What a horrendous place. Not an M&S in sight. No wonder they were always so disagreeable to work with. I’d strike too. Only I’d win.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Appearing on Coronation Street. Oh dear. I had one too many brandies in the Rovers and woke up the next day on the wrong side of Ken Barlow if you catch my drift. And my drift is very much that I had sex with him.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
When I began my career I expected to be big. But I didn’t realise so many people would take me into their hearts. It’s been wonderful to become an icon in the gay community. I really feel like I’m a latterday Judy Garland (minus the substance abuse). But what’s surprised me most is that I’ve been able to build bridges with former enemies. Neil Kinnock is a regular at my shows, Ben Elton wants to write me a sitcom, and I’m touring Argentina next year in a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita – don’t cry for me indeed.
Interview continues here.
