This House

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

This House

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 16m

James Graham

Set in the engine rooms of Westminster in 1974, James Graham’s play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes: the whips who roll up their sleeves and, on occasion, bend the rules in order to shepherd and coerce a diverse chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.

Image: 2016 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

This House

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 16m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Two 2013 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play

Details

Summary

It is 1974 and the UK faces economic crisis and a hung parliament. In a culture hostile to co-operation, votes are won or lost by one, there are fist fights in the bars, and sick MPs are carried through the lobby to register their vote. It’s a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and Parliament creaks under idiosyncrasies and arcane traditions.

Set in the engine rooms of Westminster, James Graham's play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes: the whips who roll up their sleeves and, on occasion, bend the rules in order to shepherd and coerce a diverse chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.

In May 2019, This House was voted Play of the Decade in Bloomsbury Publishing’s “60 Years of Modern Plays” public vote.

History
This House premiered at the Cottesloe Theatre at the Royal National Theatre, London, on 25 September 2012. An enormous critical and popular success, the play transferred to the larger Olivier Theatre in February 2013. The play made its West End debut at the Garrick Theatre, where opened on 19 November 2016.
Keywords
Performing Groups

Labour Whips

MICHAEL COCKS – 40s, Yorkshireman
WALTER HARRISON – 50s, Yorkshireman
BOB MELLISH – 50s, Londoner
JOE HARPER – 50s, Lancashire
ANN TAYLOR – 20s, Lancashire

Tory Whips

HUMPHREY ATKINS – 50s, Berkshire
JACK WEATHERILL – 50s, Worcestershire
FRED SILVESTER – 30s, London

The following can be played either by an ensemble of actors, ranging from one extreme (one actor per MP) to the other (a small handful playing all parts). Invention is encouraged.

The Members Chorus

BROMSGROVE, WOOLWICH WEST, ROCHESTER & CHATHAM, PADDINGTON SOUTH, ESHER, BELFAST WEST, BELFAST NORTH, ARMAGH, FERMANAGH, WESTERN ISLES, MERIONETH, CAERNARFON, PEEBLES, WALSALL NORTH, ILFORD NORTH, THURROCK, COVENTRY NORTH WEST , REDDITCH, CHELMSFORD , PLYMOUTH SUTTON, ABINGDON, BATLEY, PAISLEY, SOUTH AYRSHIRE, HENLEY, LOWESTOFT, STIRLINGSHIRE WEST, LIVERPOOL EDGE HILL, WELWYN & HATFIELD, ST HELEN’S, COVENTRY SOUTH WEST, WEST LOTHIAN, RUSHCLIFFE, ASHFIELD, PERRY BAR BIRMINGHAM STETCHFORD, NUNEATON

The Strangers Gallery

SPEAKER, CLERK, CLOCKMAKER, TELLER, SERJEANT AT ARMS, LADY BATLEY, PARAMEDIC, BARBER

  • Time Period 1970s
  • Setting The Palace of Westminster, 1974-1979.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language
    • Smoking

Media

“A thrilling play that both relives history and transcends it.” – The Guardian

“Dazzlingly intelligent, scrupulously well-researched and funny… gives a moving and witty insight into British politics.” – Independent

“Thrilling… In recording the struggle of the Labour government of 1974-79 to simply survive, the play offers a fascinating slice of history… Graham brilliantly captures the daily machinations of politics.” – Michael Billington, The Guardian

“This House, James Graham’s magnificently sharp and witty look at the struggles of the 1974-9 Labour government, is masterful all over again… Both a treat and a triumph, this is a superlative night out in the West End.” – Evening Standard

Videos

  • This House – Official Trailer, National Theatre at Home youtube thumbnail

    This House – Official Trailer, National Theatre at Home

  • This House at the Garrick Theatre – West End Trailer youtube thumbnail

    This House at the Garrick Theatre – West End Trailer

  • James Graham on This House – National Theatre at Home youtube thumbnail

    James Graham on This House – National Theatre at Home

  • “One person, one vote” – This House: National Theatre at Home youtube thumbnail

    “One person, one vote” – This House: National Theatre at Home

Photos

  • This House

    Image: 2016 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

  • This House

    Image: 2016 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

James Graham

James Graham

James Graham is a playwright and screenwriter.

His recent work includes the play Dear England, commissioned by the National Theatre, about Gareth Southgate’s transformation of the national team. After a sold-out run at the National in 2023, the play transferred to the West End ...

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