Here are the production images of Griff Rhys Jones and Clive Francis starring in I’m Sorry, Prime Minister, which is now playing at the Apollo Theatre.
Rhys Jones stars as ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker alongside Francis as Sir Humphry Appleby. Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, this is the final chapter of the long-running British political satire, as the pair face up to retirement in their old age.
Jim Hacker is back — older, but perhaps not wiser, and still utterly baffled by the real world. Hoping for a quiet retirement from Government as the master of Hacker College, Oxford, Jim instead finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee. Enter Sir Humphrey Appleby (played by the acclaimed Clive Francis), who has lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction.
Can Humphrey and Jim out manoeuvre the hostile students, the Fellows, and reality itself? Or is it finally time to say, “I’m Sorry, Prime Minister…”? Brimming with razor-sharp wit, nostalgic brilliance, and more double-speak than a press briefing, this is political comedy at its most timeless — and timely.
Co-directed by Michael Gyngell, the production also stars William Chubb in the role of Sir David and Stephanie Levi-John in the role of Sophie. The full cast includes Princess Donnough, Eliza Walters, Jeremy Rose, Robert Kitson and Dominic McChesney.
Yes Minister is a British television comedy series written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Comprising three seven-episode series, it was first transmitted on BBC2 from 1980 to 1984. A sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran for 16 episodes from 1986 to 1988. A stage play titled Yes, Prime Minister premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010. The production transferred to the West End where it played at three different theatres and also toured the UK twice.
Set principally in the private office of a British cabinet minister in the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in Whitehall, Yes Minister follows the ministerial career of Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington. His various struggles to formulate and enact policy or effect departmental changes are opposed by the British Civil Service, in particular his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Nigel Hawthorne.
The production runs until Saturday, May 9. Tickets are on sale here.
Top image: Griff Rhys Jones as Jim Hacker and Clive Francis as Sir Humphrey Appleby in I’m Sorry, Prime Minister (credit Johan Persson) (image supplied)