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Thatcherite blues
PAUL DONOVAN applauds a new production of Stoppard’s dated, yet witty study of middle-class morals and misdemeanours 
real thing

The Real Thing
The Old Vic, London

 

THE latest production of Tom Stoppard’s 1982 play, The Real Thing, does not disappoint.

Impressive performances from James McCardle as Henry and Bel Powley as Annie keep the audience gripped, and the slick scene changes, bring a minimalist 1980s feel to proceedings. The strong blue of the latter part is in some way reflective of the Thatcherite timbre of the times.

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