Review: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho at The Lowry is ‘a show so wrong, it’s absolutely right’

There are many famous people you would expect to see on a rainy weekday in Salford, but Margaret Thatcher wouldn’t normally be one of them, but for this week only Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is here in the north and she’s turning a few heads.

Margaret Thatcher is an 80s icon for all the wrong reasons with her big hair and conservative policies, she ruled with an iron fist and a distaste for the gays and lesbians in the UK.

She most famously campaigned for the controversial Section 28, which stopped the promotion and discussion of homosexuality in schools, but what if she hadn’t?

What if on her way to the House of Commons, she stumbled across a gay bar, went in and had a great time?

Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho

Well, you’re about to find out! Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is the re-telling of the events that happened before Section 28, but it’s not 100% historically accurate, as far as we know anyway.

The story follows the book of the same name written by lead actor Matt Tedford and Olivier award-winning director Jon Brittain.

Margaret, or Maggie as she likes to be called, is played by Matt, who is an outstanding actor and comedian.

Dressed in her recognisable blue suit and dusty wig, Maggie is joined by Hessel and Tine, assistant ‘Whatshisname’ and a few political opponents all played by Paul Heath and Jacob Jackson.

From beginning to end, the on-stage trio had the audience captivated in their seats, the part that got the most giggles was a talking portrait of Winston Churchill which even had the actors on stage struggling to keep a straight face.

It wouldn’t be a show about gay rights in the 80s without playing at least one song by The Village People, the show isn’t a musical but there are a fair few disco tracks thrown in to accompany the YMCA.

An 80s politics pantomime

While the real-life political events surrounding Section 28 are far from funny, this show turns the story on its head and makes the loud and proud audience laugh and sing along to the 80s classics while cheering Thatcher on and boo’ing at her opponents, pantomime style.

Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is a stage show, stand up comedy sketch, political statement and a drag act extravaganza all rolled into one hilarious 80-minute performance.

Maggie delivers her lines with expert timing, a cheeky wink here and there and a whole load of sarcasm.

This show certainly delivers tongue-in-cheek humour, with a few risky one-liners and jokes that make you think ‘should I have laughed at that’, like when Margaret Thatcher comes on stage dressed as a tank – it’s so wrong it’s right.

Even when the actors broke character as an audience member stood up mid-show, Matt’s quick-wittedness had the audience in stitches and soon got the show back on track.

If you’re looking for a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while covering difficult topics and living history, this is one for you.

Tickets for Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho at The Lowry

They’ve already sold out shows on the West End and at the Edinburgh Fringe and now Margaret Thatcher is in Manchester (as close as we’ll let her anyway) for the next 5 nights.

You can see Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho at the Quays Theatre from the 10th – 14th of September 2024.

Get your tickets here