Francis Beckett’s Make England Great Again (MEGA) is a compelling piece of theatre that skilfully parodies the current political landscape in the UK. Each of its characters are a composite of either infamous politicians we know and hopefully dislike, or representatives of abusive power, such as the right-wing press, currently alive and well in the UK.
In MEGA’s opening scene, we meet Far-Right Prime Minister Max Moore (Silas Hawkins) in his weekly audience with King Charles III (Clive Greenwood). Moore is a boorish, self-praising braggart who is declaring himself the winner of a recent general election when, in actuality, he’s lost and refuses to resign. He flops in a chair before the monarch is seated, thereby failing to respect the historical power of the Crown. Although King Charles admonishes Moore for it, Moore responds as if the king were an annoying mosquito fluttering around his head.
This scene sets up a postulation that, in real terms, the Crown’s very existence is to maintain a tenuous position of authority while yielding to a prime minister’s superior force, no matter how corrupt their force is. If the monarchy decides to push back, it can easily be toppled by a Far-Right government-controlled Press. Later in the play, when King Charles III objects to a prorogation of Parliament, this dissolution of the Monarchy is explored to great effect.
Next, we meet Moore’s brilliant press secretary/political journalist, Samantha (Abi Haberfield). Samantha knows how to market the repugnant Moore, but we wonder why she puts up with his sexual innuendos and darts ’round the room to avoid his gropes – it’s because she’s been promised the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Pam Jones (Miranda Colmans) is the Leftist candidate who’s really won the election. She is a courageous politician with a bleeding heart. Unable to control her emotions, she makes a rousing speech on the collapse of liberty and freedom of expression if Max Moore is to remain in power – but will that be enough to install her in Number 10 as the true winner of the election?
MEGA is so brilliantly written that it needs little more than the few chairs the actors slide across the stage to denote scene changes, but the configuration of the seating arrangements doesn’t do its job when it serves only those audience members seated centre stage to fully enjoy the play. A more fluid style of direction (Owain Rose) would have the actors up and out of their chairs more often to utilise the awkward sides of the playing space.
The lighting used to designate scene changes (Tim Solomons) posed a different question. Possibly, the use of lighting effects is limited by the equipment available at the theatre. However, the music that accompanies scene changes hits all the right notes to accent the malaise that wafts through MEGA, but is uncredited in the playbill.
These are small considerations when weighed against the brilliance of Francis Beckett’s Make England Great Again, with its witty, well-researched and dire warnings of thuggery practised by the well-educated Far-Right politicians in Britain.
Yes, this is unabashed praise for this glorious play, which deserves a transfer to London’s West End – while simultaneously playing in theatres beyond Newcastle, Scotland and Wales. If only this were to happen, it might prove itself to be the antidote to weaken, hopefully eradicate, the possibility of a far-right government win in the next general election.
Finally, former Labour leader Neil Kinnock graced us with his presence during the question and answer period following the play, his presence an added bonus to an exceptionally enjoyable evening.
Review by Loretta Monaco
Could Britain fall into the hands of an authoritarian ruler like Trump, Putin or Orban? And if we did, would it better?
As the play opens, Max Moore, charismatic leader of the Britons First Party, has just been elected Prime Minister. Is he a would-be dictator? And if he is, can he be prevented from becoming a real dictator?
Max Moore, Prime Minister – Silas Hawkins
Pam Jones, Leader of the Opposition – Miranda Colmans
Samantha, journalist and adviser to Max Moore – Abi Haberfield
King Charles III/Michael Jones – Clive Greenwood
Writer – Francis Beckett
Director – Owain Rose
MAKE ENGLAND GREAT AGAIN
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
30 September to 5 October, then 14 to 19 October 2025
