Yes Prime Minister is one of Britain’s best-loved political comedies and originally broadcast on television to millions in the 1980s, featuring the often adversarial relationship between Prime Minister Jim Hacker and his Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. This equally sharply satirical stage version is based upon the writing of legendary award-winning script-writers Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Yes Prime Minister opens at Titchfield Festival Theatre on 17 May 2023.

The UK is in crisis: debt is spiralling, unemployment is on the rise and the fragile coalition cabinet led by Hacker is at breaking point. But salvation may exist in the form of a complex pipeline deal with the oil-rich country of Kumranistan that would entitle the government to a multi-trillion pound loan. When the Kumranistan Foreign Secretary makes a shocking request of Jim’s Private Secretary Bernard Woolley, moral considerations collide with the economic future of the nation. But how will Jim and his team: Bernard, Sir Humphrey Appleby, and Special Adviser Claire Sutton, reconcile the two? Political machinations, media manipulation and an appeal for divine intervention ensue.

John Anderson is director of Yes Prime Minister:

“When the chance to direct Yes Prime Minister came up it was an easy decision for me. Having been a Civil Servant for 43 years my life has been ruled by decisions taken in central government and I’ve seen some interesting characters as well as having had access to the corridors of power.

“I’ve a passion for comedy and grew up watching some of our greatest sitcoms, Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder, ‘Allo ‘Allo and of course Yes Prime Minister.  We have also had some of the best comedians that Britain had to offer, such as Morecambe and Wise, the Two Ronnies, Benny Hill, Kenny Everett all of them left an impression. I was lucky enough to direct 'Allo Allo' in London which was my directorial debut in 2009.

"Being a Civil Servant I've been privileged to work alongside some interesting characters and (on occasion) have access to the corridors of power, I know that Theresa May always has a bowl of soup and a roll for lunch when she is in the restaurant at Westminster and that Boris had a crate of beer in his private office! All of them are pretty ordinary people in extraordinary jobs and Yes Prime Minister portrays that in spades.

“Yes Prime Minister is one of those timeless comedies which has a cult following and appeals to both young and old alike. The challenge for me as a Director is getting the balance right between the two. Giving those that remember the series the characters they can relate to and keeping the political satire pacey for the young audience. It’s going to be great fun!”

Yes Prime Minister performs from 17 – 27 May 2023. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.