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Labour of Love

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  3w, 3m

James Graham’s Olivier-winning comedy, charting 25 years of political and romantic turbulence, is “both a history of the Labour party and a love story.” (WhatsOnStage)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2018 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy

Details

Summary
MP David Lyons parachuted into Parliament with Tony Blair’s generation of center-left politicos focused on electability and effectiveness. His local office director, Jean Whittaker, firmly believes in the pro-union, far-left policies that have historically served his constituency deep in the heart of British coal country… a district that in 2018 just might turn conservative for the first time in a century. Unfolding over decades, across multiple election nights, through economic booms and busts, this wickedly funny clash of values and class reflects a shifting political landscape that will resonate for anyone asking, “Whither the Democrats?”
History
Labour of Love premiered at the Noel Coward Theatre in London on 2 October 2017. Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the production featured Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig. The play made its American premiere the Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Maryland on 26 September 2018.

JEAN WHITTAKER – A constituency agent
DAVID LYONS – A Labour MP

ELIZABETH LYONS – David’s wife
LEN PRIOR – A local councillor and party worker
MARGOT MIDLER – A constituent and party worker
MR SHEN – A businessman investor

The above can also play:
CONSTITUENTS, DELIVERY BOY, POLICE CHIEF, TAKEAWAY OWNER

  • Time Period New Millennium/21st Century, 1990s
  • Setting The local constituency office of a Labour MP in North Nottinghamshire, 1990-2017.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language

Media

“A heartfelt political analysis and a laugh-till-you-cry West End comedy… and it is absolutely wonderful.” – WhatsOnStage

“Political junkies with a soft spot for romantic comedies will find nirvana in Labour of Love, a jaunty British import that cracks jokes as it dissects the last 25 years of liberal heartburn from Thatcher to Tony Blair to Brexit.” – Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post

★★★★ “James Graham, as we know from Ink and This House, has a rare capacity to recreate pivotal moments from our past. In his brilliant new play, however, he adds another weapon to his armoury. He not only provides a portrait of the historic ups and downs of the Labour party; he also charts, with surprising tenderness, a turbulent relationship between an MP and his constituency agent… in a way that recalls Much Ado About Nothing.” – Michael Bilington, The Guardian

★★★★★ “As its title suggests, this is both a history of the Labour party and a love story. It is a heartfelt political analysis and a laugh-till-you-cry West End comedy. It is a balancing act of considerable sophistication and skill – and it is absolutely wonderful.” – WhatsOnStage

★★★★ “Diligently researched and informative… an inventive hybrid of Much Ado About Nothing, Yes Minister and Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.” – Evening Standard

Videos

  • James Graham on Labour of Love youtube thumbnail

    James Graham on Labour of Love

  • Labour of Love – Olney Theatre Center Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Labour of Love – Olney Theatre Center Trailer

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

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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