Difference between revisions of "Whipping it Up (2011)"

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[[Image:CHANGETHISNAME.jpg|thumb|300px|Poster by [[Poster Designer]]]]
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[[Image:Whipping.jpg|thumb|300px|Poster by [[Poster Designer]]]]
  
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by [[Terry Johnson]]
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by [[Steve Thompson]]
  
 
Directed by [[Caroline Doyle]]  
 
Directed by [[Caroline Doyle]]  
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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
  
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Whipping It Up is set in the Conservative Whips' office on a night when the party is desperate to protect a majority of only three from a potential defeat in a debate about the benefits of taxing gypsies and boy scouts. The prospective revolt is the start of a coup from within their own party, although Labour are happy to help out.
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Westminster runs the country but the Whips control Westminster.  
  
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We are initially introduced to the unscrupulous pair of Alastair and Tim. They are in the process of persuading a gay tyro that a wrong vote so early in his career would be unwise. In time honoured fashion, their main weapons are bullying and bribery.
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It’s a week before Christmas, and the new Tory government is facing dissent over its latest Bill. With a precarious majority, the Whips’ office is out in full force, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep their MPs voting true blue.  
  
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Having set the scene, the play instantly takes off with the arrival of Victor Meldrew dressed as Santa. This crotchety, unnamed Chief Whip has a great knack of coming up with pithy if incredibly foul comments about a wide range of subjects starting with beetroot and the attractions of little girls.
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But they’re in for a long night: boy scouts are rioting in Whitehall, five Tory rebels are on the loose, the Chief Whip’s standing in for Santa and the Deputy Chief Whip for the Opposition will do all in her power to bring them to their knees.  
  
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The plot thickens (at least a touch) with the arrival of blonde with few clothes and seemingly set on blackmail even before we discover that she is, of all things, an investigative journalist. The only surprise, given her modus operandi is that she represents The Observer rather than the News of the World.
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Premiered at The Bush Theatre, London, with Terry Johnson directing a cast led by Richard Wilson, the scandalously funny Whipping It Up blows the lid off the Despatch box and reveals the true secrets locked in the Whips’ safe.  
  
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Just when the silliness threatens to get out of hand, the opposition whip, brings some necessary gravitas and competitiveness, as the parties vie in a kind of dirtiest trick competition.
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This play could be described as a cross between “Yes, Minister” and “The Thick of It” but that wouldn’t do it justice. It’s funny and fast paced, with enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing the entire time. It’s a small but perfectly formed slice of life in the Whips’ Office and is guaranteed to entertain.
  
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The build up to the big vote with 70 opposition members off having a Christmas dinner with a trade union and the PM delayed in the States.
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== Cast ==
  
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Whipping It Up is a play about politicking far more than politics.
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* Alastair - [[Christopher Vian-Smith]]
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* Guy – [[Simon Gleisner]]
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* Tim – [[Paul Dineen]]
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* Maggie - [[Emma Howcutt]]
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* The Chief – [[Matthew Lyne]]
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* Delia – [[Helen Chadney]]
  
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== Cast ==
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== Crew ==
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*PA - [[Jen Campbell]]
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*Stage Manager - [[Kay George]]
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*Assistant Stage Manager - [[Clodagh Reynolds]]
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*Set Design - [[Alan Buckman]]
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*Lighting Design - [[Mark Davies]]
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*Lighting & Sound Operator - [[Kathryn Ramsay]]
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*Sound Design - [[Dave Hollander]]
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*Set Construction - [[Graham Clements]], [[Mark Ireson]], [[Chaz Doyle]], [[Rodney Quinn]], [[Anton Krause]], [[Chris Long]], cast and crew
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*Scenic Artists - [[Hazel Hindle]] & [[Rosanna Warcup]] (Signs by [[Michael Wilson]])
  
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ALASTAIR – Playing age forty-five, Deputy Chief Whip for the Government. Alistair is described in the play as “an immaculate, tanned reptile in a grey flannel suit. He owns the space.” I see him as supremely self-confident without conceit. A player, he radiates calm. He knows what he’s doing and where he is all the time. Except, perhaps, where Delia’s concerned.
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== Reviews ==
  
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GUY – Playing age thirty-six, Backbench Government MP Described as a having “a fizzy mixture of eagerness and nerves” on entering the Whips’ office. Guy works hard as an MP. He is a small fish in a big pond and about to find out that he’s swimming with sharks.
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I really enjoyed this tonight. Great performances from a solid cast. The piece is pacey, with witty dialogue and interesting dynamics between all of the characters. You don't have to be into politics or political satire to find it funny. I also really liked the set - both the cluttered frontage and the suggestions of what was behind each door. Feel bad singling out any of the great actors onstage but I have to mention Matthew Lyne, whose characterisation and comic timing knocked my socks off. More comedy please Matthew!
  
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TIM – Playing age thirty-four, Junior Whip for the Government Described as “an attractive young man in a razor-sharp suit. He has a strong London accent and a streetwise confidence.” He’s a bit of a lad. Fast-talking, hard-dealing. His dad is an extremely wealthy self-made man, a working class Tory and Tim’s been encouraged into politics. But is he there because it’s a foot on the ladder of power or does he really care about the Party above all else?
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'''Catherine Ellis'''
  
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MAGGIE – Playing age twenty-seven, researcher for the Government Described as “a petite young woman in a formal skirt and blouse with a commons ID card that says ‘Government Researcher’. Her skirt is rather too short for it to be accidental….she has a curiously girlie voice.” Is Maggie the leverage that the Whips’ office need? With her sweet voice and short skirt, is she just Tory eye-candy or is there a brain working overtime in that pretty little head?
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It was very amusing. Invite all your civil service friends, they'll wet themselves with the acute humour that's associated with those corridors of power. Never really thought about the impact and influence of the Whips Office when you have a small majority in Government...
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The production is great, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening last night. I loved Helen's portrayal particularly - something about the game playing and constant battle of wits...
  
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THE CHIEF – Playing age sixty-five, Chief Whip for the Government When we first meet the Chief he’s sitting nodding gently with a tumbler of whisky in his hand, still wearing the Santa suit but without the wig and beard. He is a man who eats and drinks too well and has been exposed to the stress of Government and Opposition for a long time now. His loyalty to the Party is unswerving, and he’ll stop at nothing to protect it.
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'''Louisa Evans'''
  
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DELIA – forty-three, Deputy Chief Whip for the Opposition. Described as “an attractive English rose in her early forties. She is dynamic and smart in a navy suit. Her voice is like cold steel.” Whilst I’m not in the least bit worried about the “English rose” description, Delia has to be powerful. A strong woman doing a job in a traditionally patriarchal situation where dirty tricks are the norm and no holds are barred.  
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Well done all! Funny, fast, fabulous set (loved the detail, check out the shelves & whats on floor!), Simon's comic timing spot on and Helen is so watchable.
  
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== Crew ==
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'''Induja Bandara'''
  
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*Stage Manager - [[SM Name]]
 
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*Lighting Design - [[Designer Name]]
 
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*Lighting Operator - [[Operator Name]]
 
  
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== Reviews ==
 
  
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Some review quotes go here
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Well done to Caroline and her team. Get down to see the show - and, if you need any more persuasion, it's an easy 3-pinter tee hee
  
  

Latest revision as of 13:59, 26 September 2014

Poster by Poster Designer

by Steve Thompson

Directed by Caroline Doyle

Performances: Tue 3rd to Saturday 7th May 2011, Bell Theatre


Introduction

Westminster runs the country but the Whips control Westminster.

It’s a week before Christmas, and the new Tory government is facing dissent over its latest Bill. With a precarious majority, the Whips’ office is out in full force, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep their MPs voting true blue.

But they’re in for a long night: boy scouts are rioting in Whitehall, five Tory rebels are on the loose, the Chief Whip’s standing in for Santa and the Deputy Chief Whip for the Opposition will do all in her power to bring them to their knees.

Premiered at The Bush Theatre, London, with Terry Johnson directing a cast led by Richard Wilson, the scandalously funny Whipping It Up blows the lid off the Despatch box and reveals the true secrets locked in the Whips’ safe.

This play could be described as a cross between “Yes, Minister” and “The Thick of It” but that wouldn’t do it justice. It’s funny and fast paced, with enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing the entire time. It’s a small but perfectly formed slice of life in the Whips’ Office and is guaranteed to entertain.

Cast

Crew

Reviews

I really enjoyed this tonight. Great performances from a solid cast. The piece is pacey, with witty dialogue and interesting dynamics between all of the characters. You don't have to be into politics or political satire to find it funny. I also really liked the set - both the cluttered frontage and the suggestions of what was behind each door. Feel bad singling out any of the great actors onstage but I have to mention Matthew Lyne, whose characterisation and comic timing knocked my socks off. More comedy please Matthew!

Catherine Ellis

It was very amusing. Invite all your civil service friends, they'll wet themselves with the acute humour that's associated with those corridors of power. Never really thought about the impact and influence of the Whips Office when you have a small majority in Government... The production is great, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening last night. I loved Helen's portrayal particularly - something about the game playing and constant battle of wits...

Louisa Evans

Well done all! Funny, fast, fabulous set (loved the detail, check out the shelves & whats on floor!), Simon's comic timing spot on and Helen is so watchable.

Induja Bandara



Well done to Caroline and her team. Get down to see the show - and, if you need any more persuasion, it's an easy 3-pinter tee hee


Gallery

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

See Also

Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.

Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

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External Links

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