Stage: If Only

Angus Jackson – director of the 2013 Olivier Award-winning production Goodnight Mister Tom – returns to Chichester with the world premiere of If Only by David Edgar. This political drama is a witty and astute exploration of the moral dilemmas at the heart of coalition government.

It’s 16 April 2010, the day after the first prime ministerial debate. Stranded in Malaga Airport by the Icelandic ash-cloud, a Labour special advisor, a Lib Dem staffer and a Tory candidate consider their options. Can their parties survive without them? How will they get back home? And who’ll end up in government? Fast forward to 4 August 2014 when the three politicians meet again.

One of them knows something that could change the outcome of the 2015 election. Should they reveal it? And at what cost? David Edgar’s plays include Destiny, Pentecost and Written On The Heart for the RSC and The Shape Of The Table and Playing With Fire for the National Theatre. His multi award-wininng RSC adaptation of The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby was revived by Chichester in 2006, followed by his new version of Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder in 2010.

If Only maintains Chichester Festival Theatre’s strong track record in commissioning and producing new plays and adaptations. In recent years, playwrights whose work has premiered at Chichester include Roger Crane, David Hare, Ronald Harwood, Mike Poulton, Lucy Prebble and Penelope Skinner.

If Only, Minerva Theatre, Chichester, until Saturday 27 July. Evenings 7.45pm except for Wednesdays at 8pm. Matinees 2.45pm on Saturdays and 3pm Wednesdays. From £30.50, 01243 781312, www.cft.org.uk