Margaret Thatcher – Queen Of Soho: Matt Tedford Turns Britain’s Iron Lady into a Disco Diva at Space Theatre – Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016 Review

Space Theatre, Wed 16 Mar. “Children are being taught they have an inalienable right to be gay. All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life.” -- Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, October 9, 1987. Based around the controversial UK bill Section 28 in the mid ‘80s, Matt Tedford has a remarkable resemblance to the ‘Iron Lady’ herself, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. After raving reviews in the UK, the premise of the show was Margaret’s rise to power and the choices she made regarding Section 28, a controversial bill that prohibited the right to discuss anything about gay rights and lifestyles within government institutions which included school communities. This very topical sow highlighted what a massive effect this bill had on Britain’s gay population which lasted for a period of ten years. Matt’s character was believable and made ‘Disco Diva” Margaret Thatcher a tad more lovable, amusing and even dare I say it, human. The cast of three including the Thatcherites Ed Yelland and Nico Lennon, were exceptionally entertaining and multitalented, their characters and mastered puppetry skills as Sir Winston Churchill really was the icing on the cake of a completely politically motivated precursor to a show. A mention has to be made to the voice-over man as he had the crowd in stitches, laughing hysterically with his portrayal of the out of the closet Sir Winston Churchill! Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho is political, relevant, witty, camp, comical and most of all enjoyable. You will sing to the Village People and laugh like you never thought Maggie Thatcher could make you laugh, but most of all this contemporary version of a political yet recent comedy classic figure will make you think about the inequality we have in our very own country and the effects it will have on the future generations. “Ding Dong! The Witch is back!’ Amanda Bennett Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho continues at Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, from 7pm until Fri 17 Jun. Book at BASS on 131 246 and bass.net.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Image courtesy of Mihaela Bodlovic Social Media: Facebook: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Twitter: @AdelaideCabaret  #AdCabFest Instagram: @AdelaideCabaret Facebook: The Clothesline – Digital Arts Magazine Twitter: @Clothesline_Mag