David Cameron ducks expenses scandal
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, this week ducked out of a confrontation with Robert Houston M.P. over the purchase of a Duck House and moat cleaning on expenses paid for by us, the Great British taxpayer.
This week at the Houses of Parliament saw the launch of a new comedy play, The Duck House about the MPs expenses scandal starring Ben Miller and Simon Shepherd. The paly is due to start previewing at the Vaudeville theatre in London’s West End from the 27th November. Tickets are now on sale.
The Prime Minister suffers yet another headache, with news of The Duck House at the Vaudeville theatre in London
An audacious coup in holding the launch inside our seat of government, especially considering the nature of the play. The cast attended in costume and in role, which witnessed the extraordinary sight of Ben Miller and co standing for photos outside the corridors of power whilst the Prime Minister, David Cameron, was hastily ushered through to his waiting car.
Inside our party were escorted past both sitting houses toward the bar with Vince Cable having to excuse himself as he shouldered his way through the excited West End fraternity.
The M.P.’s bar was packed, and it was only 5.30, which begs the question is this really what keeps the wheels of government oiled? Peter Hain looked somewhat flushed, as our escort, Charles Kennedy’s private secretary led us to the press bar. I confessed to him that I didn’t realise that Charles Kennedy, the former Liberal Democrat leader was still an M.P.
The Duck House is written by Dan Patterson and Colin Swash, and is described as an outrageous new laugh out loud comedy set in a world of dodgy receipts, dodgier deceit, and pure Parliamentary panic. The title is a reference to the ‘duck house’ claimed by Tory MP Sir Peter Viggers that came to symbolise the scandal.
Dan Patterson writes BBC2’s Mock the Week and Colin Swash writes for BBC1’s Have I Got News For You and the satirical magazine Private Eye, so expect razor sharp wit.
Ben Miller as Robert Houston M.P. in The Duck House at the Vaudeville theatre in London
Ben Miller’s TV credits include Death in Paradise, The Worst Week of My Life and The Armstrong and Miller Show, alongside his comedy partner Alexander Armstrong.
The Duck House is set in May 2009, with Gordon Brown’s labour government in meltdown and a General Election looming. Labour backbencher Robert Houston just loves being an MP and will do anything to save his seat, including change sides.
All is apparently going swimmingly well with Houston’s defection to the Tory benches until the eve of his final interview with Sir Norman Cavendish, a Tory grandee, when the Expenses Scandal breaks.
As the media close in and public fury mounts over taxpayers’ millions being frittered away on second homes, biscuits, hanging baskets, moat-cleaning and duck houses, Robert has a plan. However, Robert and his secretarial staff, namely his wife Felicity, student son Seb and Russian housekeeper Ludmilla find themselves in big trouble. Just how did the EU bring together Seb’s gorgeous girlfriend Holly and Sir Norman?
Ben Miller stars as Robert Houston M.P. alongside an all-star West End cast of Nancy Carroll, Debbie Chazen, James Musgrave, Simon Shepherd and Diana Vickers.
The Duck House comedy previews at the Vaudeville theatre from 27th November with an opening first night scheduled for the 10th December for a limited season only to 29th March 2014, so hurry to book tickets for the Duck House.
The Duck House Performances
Mondays to Saturdays 7.30pm
Matinees Thursdays & Saturdays 3pm
