Review: The Gang Of Three, Kings Head Theatre

The Gang of Three is a play that appeals strongly to politics nerds; the people who want to be in the room where it happens. The room, in this case, is where the alliances, betrayals and jostling for power of the three big beasts of Labour in the Post-War Consensus era played out. Set between 1972 and 1980, the drama charts the turbulent friendship and rivalry of Tony Crosland, Denis Healey and Roy Jenkins, which defined the Labour Party in the 1970s.

Costumes and the set conjure the period well. Contemporary music, including from The Who, Sparks and Joy Division, is deployed at the start of each scene to establish the year, along with news recordings that deftly bring wider politics into the drama.

The writing from Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky is sharp, reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin’s witty and fast-paced dialogue in The West Wing. The theme of friendship in politics – and its costs – is used to create a portrait of these towering figures of Labour’s social democratic tendency. They are shown as great statesmen, with ideas, histories of legislative achievements and experience of the great offices of state. They have ambitions, but also principles, such as European integration being the means to prevent another devastating war.

At the core of the play are strong performances from Alan Cox as Crosland, Hywel Morgan as Jenkins and Colin Tierney as Healey. All three bring these famous politicians to life without resorting to Spitting Image style impressions. There is a strong sense of the trio as real people, with human friendships and failings.

Personal relationships form the meat of the drama, with pathos coming from the men agreeing on so much, whilst their ambitions mean they cannot work together. It becomes a tragic story, as none of them become leader or Prime Minister, unlike their rivals James Callaghan and Michael Foot. The tensions of friendship and betrayal run through each scene, but by focusing the drama on the interpersonal conflict, the political debates are made accessible.

The play argues, in the words of Salinsky, that “Labour wins from the centre.” This is certainly Labour’s social democratic tradition cast in the best light; led by smart, principled, experienced politicians with vision. The principles of The Gang of Three stand in stark contrast to today’s Labour centrists, who flip-flop from position to position, guided only by ambition and not principle. Jenkins was overt in what he stood for, resigning from the shadow cabinet when it would not back his stance on Europe. By showing the experience, knowledge and values of these men, a sharp contrast with today’s Labour leaders is drawn.

There are other nods to contemporary politics which give modern relevance, as the same debates dominate the news; cuts, austerity, fiscal orthodoxy, budget deficit spending rules, welfare and public services. Some of these are, however, too self-aware, such as a joke about no one needing to argue about Europe ever again or references to new MP Jeremy Corbyn. 

Despite the high stakes in both personal and political terms, the later failures to work together portrayed do not have the same emotional impact as earlier scenes; although Jenkins and Healey toasting the departed Crosland in the final scene is genuinely moving.

This is a play for those political nerds with an interest in a specific period of history, but judging by how full the theatre was, there are a lot of such people in London. The good performances and writing lead to this being a dramatic trip through history.

Written by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky
Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward
Set and costume design by Libby Waston
Lighting design by Jamie Platt
Sound design by Dominic Brennan

The Gang of Three plays at Kings Head Theatre until the Sunday 1 June