‘Hansard’ soon showing at The Baxter

Theatre luminaries Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins star in Simon Woods’ witty and devastating portrait of the British ruling class, Hansard, at The Baxter from 25 January to 11 February. The production is directed by Robert Whitehead. Both Ramsay and Whitehead are University of Cape Town (UCT) alumni.

The compelling, witty, and relevant new play, where people and politics collide and truths are revealed, premiered at London’s National Theatre in 2019, and following its hugely successful season at Theatre on the Square in Johannesburg, now transfers to The Baxter later this month.

Veteran theatre critic Robyn Sassen raved, saying, “With Whitehead, Ramsay and Hopkins, this production stands among the best of the best of this level of theatre-making, as it sweeps you ineluctably through its ebbs and tides of language and politics. If you plan to see one play this year – this decade – see this one.”

Plot

This intriguing and devastating portrait of the British ruling class, although set in 1988, is written with today in mind. It’s a summer morning and Tory politician Robin Hesketh (played by Hopkins) has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife, Diana (played by Ramsay). Robin is strongly right-wing and contemptuous of identity politics, while Diana’s liberal attitudes are excitingly critical of Tory rule and entitlement. Their personal relationship of 30 years is also not as blissful as it seems. She has a stinking hangover; a fox is destroying the garden and secrets are being dug up all over the place. As the day draws on, what starts as a gentle ribbing and the familiar rhythm of marital sparring, quickly turns to blood sport …

“Hansard” is presented by The Baxter, in association with Troupe Theatre Company and Theatre on the Square. It runs at The Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from 25 January to 11 February at 20:00, with Saturday matinees at 14:00. Booking is through Webtickets online or at Pick ’n Pay stores. Ticket prices range from R150 to R200 and there is an age restriction of 14 years.

For block bookings of 10 or more, contact Leon van Zyl or Carmen Kearns.