Following a successful run at The Barn Theatre followed by runs at Theatre Royal Bath and Cambridge Arts Theatre, today it has been announced that I’m Sorry, Prime Minister will be transferring to the West End at the Apollo Theatre from 30 January to 25 April with press night on 12 February 2026. Tickets are on sale now from www.imsorryprimeminister.com
Making his return to the West End, Griff Rhys Jones stars as ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker alongside Clive Francis who is reprising the role of Sir Humphry Appleby he played at The Barn Theatre. This is the final chapter of Yes, Minister written and directed by BAFTA Award-winning Jonathan Lynn, which sees the pair in their old age facing up to life in their retirement. The production is co-directed by Michael Gyngell.
Griff Rhys Jones said: “I am delighted and honoured to be stepping into the shoes of Jim Hacker in this the final, funny and poignant episode of his long career. The great TV series, and latterly the plays, are part of my architecture of British Comedy. They have always been the first and last word on the shenanigans that we call politics. (What Americans have taken to calling the swamp.) “Sorry, Prime Minister” is as acute and apposite as ever. It will be a hoot. What can the great comedy sparring partners make of what the modern world throws at them? I urge everybody - old fans, young fans and yet-to-be fans to come and join us at the Apollo to find out.”
Jonathan Lynn said: "I wanted to write the final chapter about Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby, now in their 80s, discarded, ignored, watching today's world with utter bewilderment. An elegiac play about old age and loss - loss of power, loss of influence, loss of friends, loss of family. The only play I've ever seen on this theme is King Lear. This will be funnier."
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister first opened at The Barn Theatre in September 2023, followed by visits to Theatre Royal Bath and Cambridge Arts Theatre. This is the first Barn Theatre production to transfer to the West End. CEO and Artistic Director of The Barn Theatre, Iwan Lewis said, “This is a landmark moment for the Barn Theatre — our first West End transfer since opening our Cotswold home in 2018. It has been a true honour to work with Jonathan Lynn, a giant of British comedy whose generosity and friendship I will always treasure. I’m equally indebted to Mark Goucher and Bob Benton, whose unwavering belief in our vision has made this milestone possible. When we launched the Barn, Chairman Ian Carling and I believed we could create world-class theatre that could reach the West End — all while building a bold, sustainable producing house without subsidy. This transfer is proof: the model works.”
Yes Minister is a British television comedy series written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Comprising three seven-episode series, it was first transmitted on BBC2 from 1980 to 1984. A sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran for 16 episodes from 1986 to 1988. A hugely successful stage play entitled Yes, Prime Minister was premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010. The production transferred to the West End where it played at three different theatres and also toured the UK twice to great acclaim.
Set principally in the private office of a British cabinet minister in the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in Whitehall, Yes Minister follows the ministerial career of Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington. His various struggles to formulate and enact policy or effect departmental changes are opposed by the British Civil Service, in particular his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Nigel Hawthorne. The series received several BAFTAs and in 2004 was voted sixth in the Britain's Best Sitcom poll. It was the favourite television programme for fans across the political spectrum, most notably of the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher.
Read a new interview with Griff Rhys Joens here.
LISTINGS
I’M SORRY, PRIME MINISTER
Apollo Theatre
Address: Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ
Booking: www.imsorryprimeminister.com
Phone Number: 0330 333 4809
Priced from: £20
First performance: Friday 30 January
Final performance: Saturday 25 April
Picture: Danny Kaan
