Never So Good is a 2008 play by Howard Brenton, which portrays the life and career of Harold Macmillan, a 20th-century Conservative British politician who served as Prime Minister (1957–1963).[1][2] It was first performed in the Lyttelton auditorium of the National Theatre, London, on 26 March 2008; previews began on 17 March 2008.[3]
| Never So Good | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | Howard Brenton |
| Date premiered | 26 March 2008 |
| Place premiered | National Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | Life and career of British politician Harold Macmillan |
| Official site | |
The play is divided into four acts, covering Macmillan's early life and military experience in World War I; his involvement in British politics during the descent into World War II; the Suez Crisis, during which he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer; and his service as Prime Minister, during which the reputation of his government was severely damaged by the Profumo affair. Macmillan's younger self remains with him, providing mocking commentary.[4]
The National Theatre production was directed by Howard Davies.[5] The cast included Jeremy Irons as Harold Macmillan, Anthony Calf as Anthony Eden, Pip Carter as young Harold Macmillan, Anna Carteret as Nellie Macmillan, Anna Chancellor as Dorothy Macmillan and Ian McNeice as Winston Churchill, whom he would later play in several episodes of Doctor Who.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ "A good look at politics". Evening Standard. 27 March 2008.
- ^ "History of Harold Macmillan - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk.
- ^ "National Theatre : Productions : Never So Good". 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008.
- ^ "Never So Good - Drama Online". www.dramaonlinelibrary.com.
- ^ "First Night: Never So Good, National Theatre, London". The Independent. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
- ^ Hemming, Sarah (27 March 2008). "Never So Good, Lyttelton, National Theatre, London". Financial Times.
- ^ "How one historical Doctor Who character ALMOST made it back for the new series". Radio Times.
External links
edit- John Thaxter "Never So Good" review in The Stage, 27 March 2008
- Michael Billington "Never So Good" review in The Guardian, 28 March 2008
- Charles Spencer "Jeremy Irons shines in Never So Good" review in The Daily Telegraph, 28 March 2008
- Susannah Clapp "Supermac returns" review in The Observer, 30 March 2008
- National Theatre page for the opening production
- Never So Good (script), Howard Brenton (2008), published by Nick Hern Books Limited, ISBN 978-1-85459-551-5
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