Big bad Dom?

Play sheds new light on eyetests, covid, and the battle between Boris Johnson and his political advisor Dominic Cummings

APOLITICAL pantomime is being played out not on the road to Barnard Castle, but instead in Windsor. It’s one that pulls together recent history, and no eye tests are needed to be let into the auditorium.

Dom The Play is a look at the crazy events over the past decade, as seen through the eyes of Boris Johnson’s former right-hand man, Dominic Cummings.

“The idea came from a desire to look at one of the most controversial figures in British political history and write about it,” says Lloyd Evans.

“Shakespeare and Chekov are rooted in the past, and this is happening now, so it connects on a deeper level.”

The political satire opened at The White Bear Theatre in London, before transferring to The Other Palace, and enjoyed sold-out performances.

It looks at some of the controversies of the man who helped the Vote Leave campaign win the Brexit referendum, shares some of his thoughts on how the civil service should be reformed and goes into the truth of the events about Barnard Castle.

And, Lloyd promises, it looks at how David Cameron made a secret pact with Boris Johnson over Brexit, what the blond-haired disgraced former prime minister made of his successor, Liz Truss, and how he fell out with Cummings, leading to his sacking in November 2020.

Exhausted? That’s only half of it.

This is a roller coaster of a play, based on the memories, diaries, newspaper accounts and other verifiable sources that Lloyd could get his hands on.

But don’t expect this to be a hatchet job on the Conservatives’ record over the past decade.

“The play is politically neutral,” he says. “I let the audiences make their own minds up.

“I didn’t want to do a hit job on him.”

Dominic Cummings is a controversial figure for many reasons, not least for his vision for the country.

“He wasn’t just a despot,” Lloyd says.

“He had ambitions that were quite admirable.”

Some of these, including reforming the civil service, making government decisions based on factual evidence, and building a space station on the moon, are put into the play, making it a far more rounded experience than a simple sketch on a show such as Spitting Image.

“It does resonate with people,” he says. “We’ve had a party in from a school and the teacher said it follows the A-level syllabus looking at the last 10 years, so it’s quite a good revision tool.”

So in some ways, more Horrible Histories but for modern times.

There is a cameo for Maidenhead MP, and former prime minister, Theresa May, played by Sarah Lawrie. And it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it’s to Dancing Queen.

“It’s not a mean thing. I don’t need to exaggerate, as people remember the events. I want to make it human, rather than just grotesque,” Lloyd says. “Everything is based on central truths.”

Dominic Cummings is played by Chris Porter, and Lloyd is full of praise for them.

“Chris is very well-known in the trade. He has a very strong resemblance and can do Dom’s funny accent.

“Tim played Boris in 2005, for the first time he ever appeared on stage, in Who’s The Daddy? (a play about Johnson’s time on the Spectator magazine). He’s reprising a role he’s familiar with.

“The actors bring something to the show that I’ve never imagined. It’s amazing to see what they can do with it.”

Lloyd is looking forward to the play transferring to the Theatre Royal, where it has a 10-day run from Wednesday, April 19.

“It’s an amazing venue,” he says. “I was there last year to watch Ian McKellen in Hamlet. He was incredible.”

Now, he’s looking forward to seeing how audiences react to his show.

“They will have two hours of political comedy, and come away discovering things about the corridors of power and what politicians get up to behind closed doors .. 98% of the time, they’re exchanging gossip. People have the impression politicians are interested in politics, but they’re interested in backstabbing.”

As for the view it could be a pantomime, Lloyd says “It does feel like it could at certain times. Boris could be a Mother Goose figure, and Dom an ugly sister.”

There is just one question… Given they are the subject matter, has Dom been to see it?

Lloyd smiles. “I did invite Dom to see it, but he hasn’t. I don’t suppose he will.

“But we did get civil servants in, and they seemed to enjoy it. A lot of them say that’s what it’s like.”

Dom The Play is at Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday, April 29. Tickets cost from £23.50. n For more details, call the box office on 01753 853888, or log on to: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Berry good impressions

A ‘PITCH perfect’ rising comic will entertain in Maidenhead.

Josh Berry’s new stand up show brings plenty of characters and impressions as he wades through the two interweaving topics that pre-occupy him most: sex and politics.

Described by Jon Culshaw as ‘Absolutely superb’, Josh performs at Norden Farm Arts Centre Studio, on Wednesday, April 26.

Doors open at 8pm, with tickets available for £16.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

A sense of belonging

A deaf Punjabi man is to share his experiences of growing up in the UK with a hearing impairment.

Rinkoo Barpaga’s Made In (India) Britain, relates the experience of Roo, living in a world that he feels wasn’t made for him. Ableism and racism impact his childhood and his adult life, and lead him to ask, ‘Where do I belong?’ n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to:norden.farm

The event is performed in BSL, Spoken English and Closed Captions, at Norden Farm Arts Centre Studio, on Thursday, April 27.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £16.

A passion for nature

A BRITISH folk duo will tell musical tales of Suffolk folklore, people they admire, passion for nature, and a heart break or two.

Honey And The Bear’s songs combine

CINEMA with a difference is returning to Berkshire with tickets now on sale for a summer of outdoor movie magic.

Royal Ascot is the venue for a stunning line-up of fantastic films for families and film buffs alike and all under the stars.

With warmer nights approaching its time to get out the T-shirts and stock up on ice cream while enjoying award winning films and feel-good classics.

Among the 130 screenings on offer from the Luna Cinema are Top Gun: Maverick, Mamma Mia and everyone’s favourite boy wizard, Harry Potter.

With top quality sound and high-end cinematic visuals against the backdrop of the iconic Royal Ascot racecourse, it is the perfect location for that first date or birthday treat.

Two types of tickets are available for each screening meaning attendees can opt for premium director seat interweaving vocal harmonies with a range of sounds and textures. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

The multi instrumentalist pair are: Jon Hart on guitar, bass, and bazouki; and Lucy Hart on guitar, ukulele, bass, banjo, mandolin and percussion.

They are joined by Evan Carson on drums, and Toby Shaer on fiddle, flutes, and whistles.

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre Studio, on Saturday, April 29.

Doors open at 8pm, with tickets available for £15.

In the flight path

A Terrence Rattigan drama performed in Wokingham describes romantic

BY KIND PERMISSION OF W. CUMBER & SON (THEALE) Ltd

(limited availability) or bring their own blanket and seats for easy, comfortable lounging.

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said: “Since 2008, we’ve had over a million visitors attend our screenings with The Luna Cinema serving as the best example of open-air cinema in the UK.

conflict and raging war.

In Flare Path, RAF bomber pilot Teddy,is celebrating a reunion with his actress wife Patricia.

When her former lover and Hollywood heart-throb Peter arrives, and an urgent bombing mission over Germany is ordered, Patricia finds herself at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

Audiences can see the play at Wokingham Theatre.

It runs from Thursday, April 27 through to Saturday, May 6, with the exception of Sunday. Doors open at 7.45pm, and tickets cost £15.

n For more details, or to book, call:the box office on: 0118 978 5363 or visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

House calls

A MUSICAL filled with hits from 80s group Madness, visits Henley.

Our House, is a London love story set to the band’s music.

When 16 year old Joe breaks into a building site to impress his girlfriend, the police turn up and the lad’s life splits into two. Is he Good Joe, who stays to help, or Bad Joe, who flees?

The show includes Madness hits: House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, Driving in my Car, It Must Be Love and Our House.

English bluebells

Woodland walks

Family fun in the barn

Hot and cold food

Home made cakes

Free treasure hunt for kids

SUGGESTED DONATION

UNDER 3’s GO FREE CASH or CHEQUE PREFERRED

All proceeds from this event will benefit local people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. For information visit: www.msreading.org.uk

“With this in mind, we’re thrilled to announce our 2023 programme, which is comprised of world-class venues and a fun-filled line-up of films.” n Tickets are now available to purchase via www.thelunacinema.com/cinema/, with prices starting from £17.50 including booking fees. The season runs from June 14 until September 24.

Laughter is the best medicine

PERFORMER Matt McGuinness says he is proud to work with Samaritans. His show, We Are What We Overcome, combines upbeat, original acoustic music with thought-provoking comedy and stories.

It describes one man’s journey to good mental health - via a very bad idea.

The event, supported by Arts Council England & New Art Exchange can be seen at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre.

The performance is on Wednesday, April 26 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £13.50.

n For more details, or to book, call:the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

Bracknell – South Hill Park southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123

Justin Moorhouse. Thurs 20. Nothing Happens (Twice). Fri 21. Isadora The Barefoot Dancer. Sat 22. Paranation

Ghost Hunt events. Sat 22. Animals.

Mon 24. Sold. Tues 25. We Are What We Overcome. Wed 26. Angela

Barnes: Hot Mess. Thurs 27. A Celebration of Dance. Sat 29.

FILM: Full Time (TBC). Fri 24-Sun 26.

Lift Off: Creature (12a). Wed 26.

Royal Opera House: The Marriage of Figaro. Thurs 27. What’s Love Got To Do With It? (12a). Fri 28-Sun 30.

Camberley – Theatre camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600

Robert Temple: The Hypnotist. Thurs

20. Uptown Joel. Fri 21. Lionel - the Music of Lionel Richie. Sat 22. Solvealong-a-Murder-She-Wrote. Thurs

27. Cloudbusting The Music of Kate Bush. Fri 28. Comedy Club. Fri 28. The Mumford and Sons Experience. Sat 29. Craft Market. Sun 30.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

The Way Old Friends Do. Until -Sat 22.

Second Summer of Love. Thurs 20-Fri

21. Daddy Issues. Sat 22. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Tues 25-Sat 29. Amy’s Rocket. Wed 26.

High Wycombe – Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Six The Musical. Tues 18-Sun 23. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 20. That’ll Be The Day. Tues 25. Tony Stockwell.

Tues 25. In The Name of Love - The Diana Ross Story. Fri 28. The George Michael Legacy. Sat 29. Pure Elite Pro-Am UK Championships. Sun 30.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

Our House. Wed 26-Sat 29 n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01491 525050 or log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk

The musical can be seen at The Kenton Theatre, from Wednesday, April 26, through to Saturday, April 29.

Performances are at 7.45pm, with an additional matinée on Saturday at 2pm.

Tickets cost £20, with concessions available for £18.

Have no fear

SHERLOCK Holmes’ final novel is brought to life in a new stage adaptation.

The Valley of Fear sees Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson drawn into a tale of intrigue and murder that leads them to the bleak Pennsylvanian Vermissa Valley.

Faced with a trail of bewildering clues, Holmes begins to unearth a darker, wider web of corruption, a secret society and the sinister work of one Professor Moriarty.

Original music, theatricality and story-telling combine in this event at the Corn Exchange. It can be seen on Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27 at 7.30pm. ickets cost £20.75, with concessions available for £18.75. n For details, call: 08455 218218 or log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com

Maidenhead – Norden

Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

National Theatre Live - Good. Thurs 20,

Fri 21. The Ocelots. Thurs 20. Alex

Kealy - Winner Takes All. Fri 21.

80 For brady (12). Fri 21. The Vinyl

Frontier - Best Years of Our Lives.

Sat 22. Forever Elton - Greatest Hits

Tour. Sat 22. Imar. Tues 25. Josh Berry - Sexual Poltics. Wed 26. Made in (India) Britain. Thurs 27. Maidenhead

Music Society - Linos Piano Trio.

Thurs 27. Lucy Porter Wake Up Call.

Fri 28. Honey and the Bear. Sat 29. St

John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat 29.

Newbury – Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

Axel Blake. Thurs 20. Looking For Me

Friend. Fri 21. John Wick Chapter

4. Fri 21-Sat 22. Family Film: Shaun

The Sheep Movie. Sat 22. Shape Of You. Sat 22. NT Encore: Good. Sun 23.

ROH: The Marriage of Figaro. Thurs

27. Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear. Wed 26-Thurs 27. The Cavern

Beatles. Sat 29.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

Visitors. Until Sat 22. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. Fri 5-Sat Jun 10.

Reading – South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Sold. Thurs 20. Poets’ Cafe Online. Fri 21.

Emmanuel Sonubi - Emancipated. Fri

21. Eshaan Akbar - The Pretender. Sat 22. Alex Kealy - Winner Takes All. Sun 23. South Street Comedy Club. Sat 29.

Reading – The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

NT Live Presents Good. Thurs 20. Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Tues 25. Lucie Jones and the Fulltone

Orchestra. Thurs 27.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

NEXT SHOW: Lunchtime organ recital. Mon May 15.

Reading – Progress progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Dinner. Until Sat 22. Leon Greening Trio and Alex Garnett. Fri 28.

Reading – Reading Rep www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 Peter Pan. Until Sat 29.

Shinfield – Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Ravenscroft. Wed 26-Fri 29.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. Until May 13. The Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly Show. Sun 23. An Evening With Rich Wakeman and Peter Egan - Charity Gala Night. Sun 30.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

01753 853888

Dom The Play. Wed 19-Sat 29.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

0118 978 5363

Flare Path. Thurs Apr 27-Sat May 6.

Wokingham – Whitty www.thewhittytheatre.org

0118 974 3247

NEXT SHOW: Teechers - Leavers 22. Wed May 10.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

07488337838

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