Review: Londongrad, Camden People’s Theatre

Londongrad is a searing, absurdist comedy that examines the current geopolitical landscape. Power struggles, backstabbing and scandals all come into play as Labour’s first female Prime Minister Kiera Palmer (Cassia Crimin) comes into power. Only a few months into her term, a threat is received from Vladimir Putin: sell London to him or he will leak the details of Will’s 43rd birthday party. Joined by her Foreign Secretary Will (Cameron Wight) and Head of Communications Leela (Molly Kerrigan), the three negotiate how to deal with these threats from foreign leaders.

Kiera is desperate to up her polls through pleasing as many rich folks as she can. Her marriage to a Daily Mail editor often leaves her in hot water, with him constantly writing damning stories about her. Crimin embodies the tragically awful Prime Minister with delight, managing to be both tough and shallow. 

From ‘Northern Socialist Roots’ with a hint of champagne socialism, Kerrigan is fabulous at playing the frenemy. Leela just wants to be on the winning side, determined to bury any scandal and spin any story to come out smelling of roses.

Wight is the standout of this play, showcasing the alcoholic Foreign Secretary with hilarious comedic timing. Will runs on partying, alcohol and drugs, foolishly marrying and later cheating on Robert Murdoch’s daughter with Tony Blair. A liability, his questionable friendship with ‘Putes’ and Trump, lands him in trouble, and his outlandish behaviour is forever coming back to bite him. 

Londongrad is outrageously funny and brilliantly written by Athena Atherton. The jokes are hilarious and timely, very much up to date with recent political incidents. Whether it be Trump and Elon’s ‘break up’, Starmer’s speech evoking Enoch Powell or running through fields of wheat, no one escapes Atherton’s searing parody of politics. The audience was in a constant barrel of laughs.

The play is extremely fast-paced, constantly moving from one joke to the next in quick succession. On the one hand, this works well for the production, keeping the audience engaged throughout. On the other hand, this pace doesn’t allow for revelling in those really hilarious jokes and does mean occasionally missing out on some dialogue that is overridden by audience laughter. 

Londongrad is certainly for those with an interest in and knowledge of geopolitics, reminiscent of a mix between the humour of The Office, Horrible Histories and Spitting Image. Revelling in absurdism, it criticises the power structures and ridiculousness of the current political climate. Leaving the theatre with a massive grin is always an indicator of a great show!

Written & directed by Athena Atherton 
Co-produced by Sylvie Macdonald & Athena Atherton

Londongrad plays at the Camden People’s Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe until Saturday August 2.