Samantha Coughlan stars in the European première of award-winning playwright Michael Healey’s hit satirical political comedy 1979 at the Finborough Theatre.
Jimmy Walters directs Joseph May as Canada’s youngest ever prime minister Joe Clark, and Ian Porter and Samantha Coughlan will both play multiple roles including Pierre Trudeau, Maureen McTeer and Steve Harper.
The production opens at Finborough Theatre on 4 January 2024, with previews from 2 January, and runs until 27 January 2024.
You’re appearing in 1979 at Finborough Theatre, what can you tell us about the play?
1979 is based on the true story of Canada’s shortest serving Prime Minister; Joe Clark in 1979. He was young, he was idealistic, and he wasn’t built for politics- he was just too decent. It’s a rather hilarious and dark political satire highlighting the ridiculous (and very real!) characters and events of the time and how they have come to shape the government today.
What was it about Michael Healey’s script that made you so keen to be a part of it?
I wanted to be a part of the play from the second I read the script as it made me howl out loud with laughter. It’s a fast pace delight that gets you thinking about the inner workings of all government parties, particularly of Canada, the US and Britain. Plus, after Covid, this is my first show- a very sharp brain wake-up as I play five characters. Plus I’ve worked at The Finborough a few times previously and I love them.
You’ll be multi-rolling in the production what’s your favourite character(s) that you play?
Joe’s wife Maureen is a true feminist inspiration. The only Prime Ministers wife ever to keep her name and fight through and endure the prejudice and misogyny that that entailed. The Queen Mother once told her if keeping her own name was good enough for her own daughter then it was good enough for her. True story.
I also like playing former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. He’s the father in-law of Meghan Markle’s best friend, Jessica Mulroney (from the Royal wedding) and quite American in his unabashed, bolshy campaigning of bells and whistles. Not normally a Canadian style. He’s written with a bit of Trumpism.
And what do you think will be the biggest challenge for you in this play?
My biggest challenge is learning all these lines! It’s 80 minutes of fast and furious, witty satirical dialogue, and a carousel of people. It’s so much fun, and A LOT of hard work. Good work, though.
Why do you think political dramas do so well on the stage?
I think they do well because they speak to us all. We are constantly being affected and influenced by the decisions of our governments and parties. They reflect our lives, hopes and fears. We rely very heavily on who we elect into office and hope they know what they are doing. They often do not. And there is humour and tragedy within it all. Real time Greek tragedies.
This is a play about Canadian politics, how do you think UK audiences will react?
I think the UK audience will really get it. They are so switched on and politically aware I think they’ll see a reflection of their own parties within the Canadian system. They’ll understand the farce! I think they’ll laugh, they’ll majorly cringe and they’ll reflect on their own experiences…. esp as they have just had their own shortest term Prime Minister, Liz Truss. We have our own head of lettuce so to speak 😉
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see 1979?
I would say come along! 80 minutes of a great time that will really get you thinking. You won’t regret it. The writing of Michael Healey, one of Canada’s finest current writers, really is fantastic. And the performances are wild!
