Michael Healey’s 1979 to make European premiere at Finborough Theatre

Michael Healey’s hit satirical political comedy 1979 is to make its European premiere.

Sarah Lawrie for Proud Haddock in association with Neil McPherson will present the show at the Finborough Theatre from 4 – 27 January 2024 with previews from 2 January.

Jimmy Walters directs, with design by Mim Houghton and sound design by Julian Starr.

Joseph May plays Canada’s youngest ever prime minister Joe Clark, while Ian Porter and Samantha Coughlan will both play multiple roles including Pierre Trudeau, Maureen McTeer and Steve Harper.

In May 1979, Progressive Conservative Joe Clark was elected as Canada’s youngest ever Prime Minister.

By Christmas 1979, it looked as though it was all over.

But Clark is young and idealistic, resolute on making his mark in office, and governing for the whole country, not just his own party supporters. Faced with a critical decision, his colleagues – including his predecessor Pierre Trudeau – take the opportunity to steer him in completely different directions…

1979 made its debut in Calgary in 2017, receiving high praise from critics and earning six Betty Mitchell Award nominations. Following its successful premiere, the production continued with a run at Toronto’s Berkeley Street Theatre in 2019.

Jimmy Walters, Artistic Director of Proud Haddock, said: “As the UK heads into what will almost certainly be another General Election year, the timeliness of our production is very apt, and will hopefully bring some much-needed light relief to our own political landscape.”

For more information and tickets, visit finboroughtheatre.co.uk