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Cast List
| Tony Blair | Nathan Kiley |
| Gordon Brown / Peter Snow | James Lark |
| George Bush / David Blunkett | Anton Tweedale |
| Harriet Harman / Reporter 1 | Danielle Fenemore |
| Robin Cook / Reporter 2 | Ian Mcfarlane |
| John Prescott / Reporter 3 | Paul Sockett |
| Tessa Jowell / Reporter 4 | Roseanne Priest |
| Clare Short / WI Representative | Claire Trusson |
CREATIVES
| Lyrics, Music & Book | James Lark |
| Director | Delyth Jones |
| Musical Director & Orchestrations | Chris Mundy |
| Assistant Musical Director | Richard Bates |
THE BAND
| Piano | Christopher Mundy |
| Percussion | Kevin Lark |
| Guitars | Kevin Lark & Nick Sutcliff |
| Flute | Guy Hayward |
| Violin | James Lark |
SYNOPSIS
A Musical Comedy that follows the rise and fall of the country's most notorious Labour Leader and Prime Minister. Spanning his ten years in Power Tony Blair the Musical is a satrical look at Blair's leadership and his relationship between himself and Gordon Brown.
In this, his final year in office, Blair's achievements and ideals are put under the spotlight - and given a tune. His ever-changing public image, his controversial foreign policy, and the things he sacrificed in the name of power are recreated through the unforgettable music of James Lark in an experience every bit as funny, gripping and important as Prime Minister's Question Time… just with more songs.
Io Theatre Company's latest production is a funny and controversial romp through the last ten years of British politics, combining hard-hitting satire with first-rate songs in one of the boldest pieces of political theatre ever produced. The show will run between 3rd and 27th August at the Gilded Balloon as part of the 2007 Edinburgh festival Fringe, with London previews in July.
MUSIC
Song List taken from the Original Cast Recording availble to purchase from Dress Circle
1) The First of May 10) Balancing the Books
2) Not a Day for Soundbites 11) Friends in High Places
3) The Party 12) Watch this Swing
4) Your Politics Come Straight from the Heart 13) Protest Song
5) How Very Unfortunate 14) The Evil Ideology Song
6) Throwing the Jowell In 15) The Michael Howard Song
7) A second Term 16) Sedition
8) Oh! What a Lovely War Against Terrorism 17) Party's Over
9) The Terrorist Countermeasures Song 18) The First of May (REPRISE)
PHOTOS
For pictures of the show please CLICK HERE or visit the Gallery
PERFORMANCES
28th & 29th July 2007 (The Space, Mudchute, London)
3rd - 27th August 2007 @ 3.15pm (The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Festival)
10th September 2007 (The Stahl Theatre, Oundle)
REVIEWS
Review from Fridaycities London on 30th July 2007 following the sell out previews on 28th & 29th July in London:
"Tony Blair - the Musical, is a revelation"
"a decent rash of belly-laughs and some stonking great tunes"
"the songs - every now and then - make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end"
"if this play isn't on the West End this time next year, we'll eat our special theatre hat"
Edinburgh Reviews from the Sell-out run from 3rd-27th August Gilded Balloon:
***** (5 stars)
"...a show anyone could be proud of" (Scotsgay)
**** - (4 stars)
"...Slick, funny and clever" (Three Weeks)
**** (4 stars)
"the Sondheim-esque score, however, is impressive" (Edinburgh Evening News)
"...runs the melodic gamut from near-Weillian severity to knowingly schmaltzy balladry, and is packed with rich, tight harmonies." "musically sophisticated" (The Telegraph)
"well-constructed and thoughtful." (The Stage)
"lovely touches... verbose Shakespearean ending rounds it off in gallus style" (The Scotsman)
"bitingly funny score... comic gold" (Broadway Baby)
"slick production provides plenty of laughs and generous helpings of satire... A well-voiced and good-looking cast accompany the plethora of lyrically and musically impressive songs" (The List)