I was about to meet the cast of Thatcher: The Musical, the brainchild of Wolverhampton based theatre group Foursight, a mainly all female organisation which reviews women’s history through its productions. I was warned that the cast can be an eccentric bunch. So eccentric in fact that the actors often prefer to remain in character when talking to the public, performing interviews, or doing pretty much anything. In other words, I would be faced with nine Iron Ladies. Needless to say, I approached with caution.  | | Three Maggies on stage |
Each one of the production’s Thatcher's, which opens at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Tuesday 6th February, is taken from a different part of the Thatcher legacy. It wasn’t long before I was being talked at by Elderly Maggie. It seemed that, due to her aging limbs, she had fallen behind her more youthful alter egos. She noticed my press badge. Lily-livered lefty“You look a bit of a lefty,” she said. She looked me up and down with a glare of disdain. “If you’re working for the BBC you’re probably a lily-livered lefty. Maybe even a communist.” While it definitely sounded like Maggie, I had actually been accosted by Frances Land, the actor who portrays Elderly Thatcher, not that I would have known it. I was about to get a brief lesson about the legacy that is Margaret Thatcher. I listened very carefully for fear of being scorned like a little boy.  | | Thatcher the narrator |
“I ruled this country as a Prime Minister rather than a woman you know. I think I was more of a man than most of my cabinet.” “But they don’t seem to want to let me out into the public gaze now,” she claimed. “They seem to think I’m embarrassing to them.” WolverhamptonBaroness Thatcher seemed to allow herself a moment of self-pity. I saw my chance to get a question in. What were her memories of Wolverhampton? “Wolverhampton? It’s in the Midlands, isn’t that right? It’s not a place I really relish to visit. Although people seem to be a lot more friendly than they used to be.” Surely no-one was ever disappointed to see Maggie? “It was the unions you see. They were undermining the government.”  | | Thatchers take centre stage |
After a long conversation – well, dialogue – discussing her readiness to regain a position of power, Tony Blair’s similarities to herself and global warming disguised as a communist plot, I was able to squeeze out Frances Land, the actor behind Maggie. Removing her wig Frances talked of Maggie with mixed feelings. One moment she is an inspirational female figure, the next she’s the stealer of jobs and homes. “She was a woman working in a very male world. She rose to power against that. It was kind of a revelation what she achieved.” “However, a lot of us experienced her affect on the country. I was living in the Midlands at the time and you could see the effects everyday.” Foursight Theatre | | Maggies take to the stage |
Foursight has been established for over 20 years now, making shows such as Hitler’s Women and 6 Dead Queens and an Inflatable Henry. Thatcher: The Musical is a humorous take on the Thatcher legacy mixing comedy, musical and drama to create a show that is as entertaining as it is intelligent. “We want people to ask questions. This show appeals to a wide cross section of the public. We don’t fight against change as much as we used to.” “Audiences will leave the theatres and talk about it. It provokes discussion. It’s a great thing for theatre to do.” Thatcher herself believed in individualism and looking out for yourself, but the values of Foursight could not be more different. “The way Foursight works the company is very actor-centric, we all own this work. Everyone really cares about it.” Tony Blair | | Outside Number 10 |
Before I knew it Frances was positioning her Maggie hair-piece on to her head. Frances had gone, Maggie had returned. Frances was once again the all-singing all-dancing Maggie that will be lighting up the stage this Spring. “The values I have instilled in this country are very important. I’m glad to say we’re taking a firmer stand on immigration. Tony is looking after that, he used to phone me you know?” And with that she doddered back towards the eight other Maggies, muttering something about Victorian values. Needless to say, I made my escape. Maggie: The Musical! will be running at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 6th February until Saturday 10th February and will then continue on a national tour. Tel: 01902 42 92 12 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk. | 
