Writer and Director: Athena Atherton
The funniest joke in Londongrad, a political spoof exploring a plan to sell off the capital to Russia, is that the new female Prime Minister is called Keira, a nod to our current leader. Unfortunately, the rest of the comedy in this shouty 60-minute show fails to land. This is no update of the classic sitcom, Yes, Minister.
The no-nonsense Keira Palmer (Cassia Crimin), who once promised to serve the people, now finds herself way down in the opinion polls, just like our own Sir Keir. But matters only get worse when she discovers that President Putin is scheming to buy London. The Russian leader also has some juicy information on Keira’s Foreign Secretary (Cameron Wright) that he will make public if the British Government declines the offer. Will Director of Communications Leela (Mollie Kerrigan) be able to save the day?
The scenario would make for an entertaining 10-minute skit, but here the story is drawn out with silly subplots. Unbelievably, Keira is married to the editor of the Daily Mail, and then we discover that she is having a secret affair. Leaders from other countries send texts, and Trump succeeds in his mission to annexe a country. But apart from the message alerts (Boney M’s Rasputin for Vladimir and “Grab ‘em by the pussy’ for Trump), the jokes are just not clever or daring enough.
By the time Leela, in Poirot-style, wraps up the (very) complicated story, you’re beyond caring. The three actors try their best to bring out the humour in Athena Atherton’s script, but everything is played to extremes without any trace of subtlety. Crimin’s talent in facial expressions could be utilised to a greater effect; she can do a wonderful raised eyebrow, but instead, the trio bluster around the stage, yelling at each other in the same tones. If the show was dialled down and the jokes smarter and more current, Londongrad may have a future.
Runs until 2 August 2025
Camden Fringe runs until 24 August 2025
