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The UK’s most hilarious political comedy, written by Michael McManus (Maggie and Ted), arrives at the New Theatre in Cardiff. Party Games is a captivating play that intertwines humour and drama seamlessly. The witty dialogue and engaging plot keep you entertained throughout the performance and will have you laughing until your cheeks are sore.
Imagine if there was a bumbling, unknowing Prime Minister in power… it’s a story we might have seen before. The year is 2026 and newly elected leader of a One Nation Party, John Waggner, presides over a hung parliament. The story gives us a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ experience inside Number 10 as Waggner and his team of MPs work together in a less than harmonious environment. I’ve never experienced the inside of an MPs office first-hand, but I imagine Party Games is an accurate representation of what that’s like.
The talented cast delivers stellar performances that bring the characters to life, making it easy for the audience to connect with them. Matthew Cottle as Waggner is the standout performance of Party Games. He executes the character of a bumbling Prime Minister perfectly. Sitting so close to the stage, I noticed Cottle often smirking as he delivered his lines, taking enjoyment out of the comedy he’s portraying. It’s clear the cast have a great time telling this story, which I feel makes it even more fun for the audience. The play’s themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption are thoughtfully explored, leaving a lasting impact. That said, a couple of the jokes felt like ‘cheap shots’ at different groups and I felt them unnecessary; it dampened my experience of the show a little.
Overall, Party Games is a must-see production that will leave you entertained by its light-hearted storytelling. It’s full of back-to-back jokes that will keep you on your toes throughout. It also includes a fun element that plays on how modern technology can influence the world around us, which was an interesting twist to add into the story and was a great commentary on how powerful technology is in our day and age.
Party Games blesses the stage of the New Theatre in Cardiff until Friday 24th May, so you don’t have long to catch it! You can’t beat a night out at one of the prettiest venues in the heart of Cardiff, with a hilarious show to entertain you. You can read more about the show and get your tickets here: https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB/event/comedy/party-games-tickets
