The Cabinet Minister

The Cabinet Minister description

Take one Olivier Award-winner. Add a classic Victorian political farce. Assemble a cracking cast, and this is what you get. Nancy Carroll has adapted the play and also stars in Arthur Wing Pinero’s The Cabinet Minister, in the capital for a limited run.

The plot weaves the story of MP Sir Julian Twombley, whose wife and son pile up debts so horribly big they jeopardise his political reputation. He’s desperate to hang onto his dignity as he tries to steer clear of the media. Will the news-hungry reporters break his scandalous story and make it public?

An 1890 political farce that’s still just as powerful

Sir Arthur Wing Pinero adored everything to do with the theatre. He acted from an early age, wrote numerous plays including The Magistrate, Dandy Dick and Sweet Lavender, and even tried his hand at writing opera.

This popular political satire dates back to 1890 and unlike many written at the time, it has survived. It’s still staged every now and again. Michael Denison adapted it in 1977 and the Royal Exchange Theatre staged another version in 1987. This latest adaptation comes from actor Nancy Carroll and features a fantastic cast.

Carroll, in addition to adapting it, is starring in the role of Lady Katherine. Nicholas Rowe (Young Sherlock Holmes, Motown the Musical) is starring as Sir Julian Twombley. They’re joined by George Blagden, Joe Edgar, Phoebe Fildes, Rosalind Ford, Dom Hodson, Dillie Keane, Laurence Ubong Williams, Romaya Weaver, and Matthew Woodyatt.

The creative team is equally impressive. We have director Paul Foster (Crazy For You) in his Menier directing debut, set and costume designer Janet Bird (Guys and Dolls), Olivier-nominated sound designer George Dennis (The Homecoming), Tony-winning composer and musical supervisor Sarah Travis (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), and movement coach Joanna Goodwin (My Fair Lady).

Playing at Menier Chocolate Factory (venue info)