This House: 60 Years of Modern Plays

This country doesn’t need a constitution, never has, never will. We have History as our guide. In tough times, the British do what we have always done. We muddle through.

Britain’s most prominent political dramatist James Graham achieved the impossible in bringing the backroom world of MPs, whips and fractured political parties to the stage. Originally staged at the National Theatre, This House is a timely and relevant political comedy, exploring Westminster and the 1974 hung parliament.

In the run-up to the General Election pressure mounts as squabbling whips attempt to attract key regional votes. As it becomes clear the results will be closely balanced, the play tracks the formation, perils and consequences of a coalition government, including the compromises, conflicts and power games all in the interest of gaining control of Parliament.

With well-paced, witty and waspish dialogue, This House playfully explores the childish digs and chauvinistic attitudes that riddle political life. Graham combines comedy with comment in this portrayal of the strain between the thinking individual, the pressure to toe the party line and the end goal of winning government.

This House premiered at the Cottesloe Theatre at the National Theatre in 2012.

Methuen Drama’s iconic Modern Plays series began in 1959 with the publication of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey and has grown across six decades to now include more than 1000 plays by some of the best writers from around the world. This new special edition hardback of This House was published to celebrate 60 years of Methuen Drama’s Modern Plays in 2019, chosen by a public vote and features a foreword by Baroness Ann Taylor.