Stage: A star studded cast for the political revival of the season at the Theatre Royal

These are troubled times, the world is in a state of disturbing flux, Europe is struggling to come to terms with and find a way forward after Brexit, the USA is in both political and environmental turmoil and in the far east aggressive powers are making dangerous and threatening moves that are worrying to all of us. Of course most of us will feel powerless, unable to do anything to stop what seems like a downward spiral.

It seems timely then that Gore Vidal’s 1960 play, The Best Man, should be revived, if only to remind us that politics and politicians seldom change and that their world is riddled with intrigue, deception and corruption.

Vidal hated the Kennedy family and his play was clearly based on that hatred but the parallels ring true today 57 yeas on.

At the Presidential primaries in the summer of 1960 in Philadelphia, an ethical man running for the Presidential nomination runs against an “unscrupulous” man. Populist southern senator Joseph Cantwell is a “bigot and a charlatan”, while William Russell, who prides himself on his honesty, is the liberal candidate, “likable, forceful and humorous.” Both candidates try to get the endorsement of the popular outgoing president, who enjoys not telling them which one he’ll endorse.

An ethical man running for the Presidential nomination runs against an “unscrupulous” man

In this new production Martin Shaw is William Russell, esteemed ex-Secretary of State and a US presidential candidate with a philandering reputation.
Jeff Fahey is Joseph Cantwell, an ambitious populist newcomer, opposing Russell for the party nomination.

Neck and neck, the only thing that separates the candidates are the endorsements from a respected Ex-President (Jack Shepherd) and party big wig (Gemma Jones). As the race heats up the campaigns gets personal, involving Russell’s estranged wife Alice (Glynis Barber) and Cantwell’s wife Mabel (Honeysuckle Weeks) and drawing on all the resources of Russell’s campaign manager (Anthony Howell). But where does compromise end and corruption begin? How far will they go to be the most powerful man in the world and who in the end will be proven to be “the best man”? Sounds familiar? Of course it does, a must see to start the autumn season.

25-30 September
Theatre Royal Brighton
atgtickets.com/brighton
0844 871 7650