Hansard (play)

Hansard is a play by Simon Woods. The play focuses on fictional Tory politician Robin Hesketh and his wife, Diana. The title comes from the word Hansard, the traditional name of the transcripts of Parliamentary debates in Britain and many Commonwealth countries.

Hansard
Written bySimon Woods
CharactersRobin Hesketh
Diana Hesketh
Date premiered3 September 2019
Place premieredRoyal National Theatre
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama
SettingCotswolds
Official site

Productions

Hansard had its opening night at the National Theatre on 3 September 2019, following previews from 22 August.[1] It played a limited run to 25 November 2019.[2] The two-hander featured Alex Jennings as Robin Hesketh and Lindsay Duncan as Diana Hesketh.[2] The production was directed by Simon Godwin. Hansard was broadcast as part of National Theatre Live on 7 November 2019.[2]

Critical reception

The play received mixed reviews. In a 3 star review for The Guardian, Michael Billington likened the piece to a Cotswold Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?[3] In a 3 star review for the Financial Times, Sarah Hemming states "It’s obliquely timely, then, often waspishly funny, ultimately very moving and beautifully delivered by the superb Alex Jennings and Lindsay Duncan. Yet there’s also something oddly unsatisfying about it"[4]

References
  1. Franklin, Mark J. (6 August 2019). "Inside Hansard Rehearsals at the National Theatre". Playbill.
  2. "Hansard". National Theatre. 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  3. "Hansard review – Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for the Cotswold set". the Guardian. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  4. "Hansard explores privilege, power and pain at the National Theatre, London". Financial Times. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
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