REVIEW: The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson at Eastbourne

If the PM isn’t washing his hands for the cameras, he’s visiting flood hit communities or smiling alongside his expectant lady friend.

Now though, Boris is treading the boards at the Devonshire Park – or rather Will Barton is – in this week’s theatrical offering of The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson.

The smash hit comedic play, which sold out its London run, tells the story of the dinner party that actually took place and changed history when in February 2016, Bo Jo decided to vote Leave.

Guests include fellow MP Michael Gove, his wife and journalist Sarah Vine, Boris’s then partner Marina Wheeler and Russian businessman Evgeny Lebedev but the quixotic romp brings in the spirits of Prime Ministers past including Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill and Tony Blair.

The first half is all about Boris’s decision making and the brilliant Will Barton really has the essence of the man from his blustering and boasting to his scruffy appearance.

The second half fast forwards to post-Brexit Britain 2029 and Boris is no longer in power but as he roams the political wilderness, unexpected events see him back in the spotlight and with a chance to leave – Brenter – and “make Britain great again” as Gove joins the clergy.

Bill Champion is great as the treacherous Gove, also playing Winston Churchill and, in later scenes, Boris’s agent. Claire Lichie too is wonderful as she flits between the long suffering Marina Wheeler and the PM’s next squeeze Caitlin with some hilarious one liners.

My favourite character though was Emma Davies’ portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, complete with immaculate hair, blue suit and handbag. Emma also doubles up as Sarah Vine.

The final actor is this mocking production is Tim Wallers, who plays the Russian businessman as well as Huw Edwards and a frighteningly realistic Tony Blair.

The play is fast moving and it’s obvious the script – the brainchild of Jonathan Maitland – is updated as and when necessary as there are references to the coronavirus since the play left its London stage

There’s also a fair bit of effing and jeffing which doesn’t feel out of place as it sometimes does with the genteel Eastbourne audience because of the subject matter.

The performances are funny, polished and the show lasts two hours and 10 minutes which includes an EU sanctioned short delay/interval of 20 minutes.

The show runs until Saturday March 14 and ticket prices start at £19 from the Box Office on Eastbourne 412000.