Review of: Whipping It Up, by Steve Thompson. Directed by Lisbeth Rake

Courtesy of the Hampshire Chronicle

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Hampshire Chronicle December 24th 2009

The scenario of a Tory government clinging to power with a wafer-thin majority might sound like a mid-1990s throwback. Yet this is the near future portrayed in the latest production at the Chesil Theatre in Winchester.

Whipping it Up, written by Steve Thompson, delves into the crucial final hours before a knife-edge vote in Westminster. With plenty of tricks, turns and laughs it lays bare the deception and dirty tricks each side will stoop to in order to conquer.

Told from inside the Tory whips’ office this story might be easier to stomach for left-leaning theatregoers. Then again, it’s hard not to feel empathy - even sympathy - for the embattled whips as they try desperately to identify and round up their rebels. The sympathy stems from the convincing performances of the whips, Alastair, Tim and the Chief – Jonathan Gregory, Ian Fraser and Malcolm Brown respectively. Instead of faceless enforcers of the party line, the high pressured environment forces the occasional glimpse of their human side.

As a result the main players avoid becoming two-dimensional clichés of Westminster farce. The play also avoids becoming a stage version of Yes Minister, thanks to the tension and the drama. Director, Lisbeth Rake, keeps the intrigue ticking along nicely and the set design at the Chesil Street venue is also worthy of praise.

Without doubt Whipping it Up has provided another good outing for the Chesil team. Whether it turns out to be an accurate reflection of the future of British politics will depend on a certain election looming within the next six months…

For more information about the Chesil Theatre visit www.chesiltheatre.org.uk or call 01962 867086

Warwick Payne

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