This House - (Modern Plays) by James Graham (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This country doesn't need a constitution, never has, never will. We have History as our guide. In tough times, the British do what we have always done. We muddle through.

Britain's most prominent political dramatist James Graham achieved the impossible in bringing the backroom world of MPs, whips and fractured political parties to the stage. Originally staged at the National Theatre, This House is a timely and relevant political comedy, exploring Westminster and the 1974 hung parliament.

In the run-up to the General Election pressure mounts as squabbling whips attempt to attract key regional votes. As it becomes clear the results will be closely balanced, the play tracks the formation, perils and consequences of a coalition government, including the compromises, conflicts and power games all in the interest of gaining control of Parliament.

With well-paced, witty and waspish dialogue, This House playfully explores the childish digs and chauvinistic attitudes that riddle political life. Graham combines comedy with comment in this portrayal of the strain between the thinking individual, the pressure to toe the party line and the end goal of winning government.

This House premiered at the Cottesloe Theatre at the National Theatre in 2012.

Methuen Drama's iconic Modern Plays series began in 1959 with the publication of Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey and has grown across six decades to now include more than 1000 plays by some of the best writers from around the world. This new special edition hardback of This Housewas published to celebrate 60 years of Methuen Drama's Modern Plays in 2019, chosen by a public vote and features a foreword by Baroness Ann Taylor.

Review Quotes

From facts and memoirs Graham shapes a brilliantly exhausting, funny and moving political epic ... another hit is born ... it will last longer than the years it depicts.
The Times

Graham's superb new drama ... it is by turns funny, touching and cliff-hangingly suspenseful ... Graham has researched his play with exemplary thoroughness and there is a thrilling tang of authenticity about the piece.
Charles Spencer, The Telegraph

It recreates, with startling vividness, the madness of life in the Westminster village during five action-filled years . . . Above all, the play unlocks a whole era.
Michael Billington, The Guardian

About the Author

James Graham is a multi award-winning playwright and screenwriter.

His play This House gained critical acclaim, enjoyed a sell-out run at the National Theatre's Olivier in 2013 and its 2017 West End revival was Olivier-nominated. It was chosen by popular vote as the best play of the 2010's by Methuen Drama.

James created theatre history when his two plays Ink, about the early days of Rupert Murdoch, and Labour of Love, a romantic political comedy, played in theatres next to each other in the West End in 2017. James won an Olivier award in 2018 for Labour of Love and Ink transferred to Broadway in 2019, receiving six Tony award nominations.

James' play The Vote (Donmar Warehouse) aired in real time on TV in the final 90 minutes of the 2015 polling day and was BAFTA-nominated. His most recent television film, Brexit: An Uncivil War (Channel 4/HBO) is nominated for a 2019 Emmy Award.