Party Games

Starring Matthew Cottle, Debra Stephenson and Ryan Early.

A hilariously acerbic new comedy by Michael McManus, the writer of Maggie & Ted, directed by Joanna Read.

Starring Matthew Cottle (Chaplin, BBC’s Game On, ITV’s Unforgotten, BBC’s Citizen Khan and Channel 4’s The Windsors), Debra Stephenson (Playing the Field, Bad Girls, Coronation Street, The Impressions Show and Dead Ringers) and Ryan Early (Coronation Street, The Archers. Party Games puts political leadership on the ledge and goes inside the chaos of government to see whether advisers do advise and if ministers can decide.

This is the UK, 2026, John Waggner newly elected leader of the hastily formed centrist One Nation Party presides over a hung parliament, a discontented electorate and striking cheese makers.

He and his power-hungry MPs must cling onto authority through whatever shaky means possible. Can one man, a Svengali spin doctor and some dodgy data unite the country? And what role can his wife, the King and a large spider play in keeping the lights on?

Join us after the evening performance on Wed 22 May for a post-show Q&A with playwright Michael McManus, free to all ticket-holders.

Age guidance: Ages 12+, contains swearing

Take a look at our Meet the Cast special HERE