Review of ‘The Last Days of Liz Truss?’: “This iceberg needs some extra tips”

The former Prime Minister returns to the public eye through this parody show, exploring her seven-week term running the country. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this comical depiction of the Radon Lady is worth your lettuce.

Never trust politicians – even when they are in their salad days. We thought we had got rid of her. We even rested assured we had buried behind us. But it appears the shortest-serving PM in this country’s history has sprouted in the shape of parody – because the real one was not enough of a joke, apparently.

Seven weeks of a dysfunctional government, with little more action than a vegetable, are reborn through this one-woman show dealing with Truss’s run (or sprint) as the self-proclaimed saviour of British economy. Rotten from the beginning, and counting on fewer preservatives than her grocery alter ego, the fond memories of her legacy are depicted in this charming exposé, covering her endeavours to make the UK great again – the results of which are unquestionable.

Ironies apart, the appeal of a deliciously satirical picture of the lady who lost her prime before she even got it is exceptionally high. We all like mockery (in and out of the room…). We all love a spitting image. And we adore an image to spit on. The Last Days of Liz Truss? is able to provide all of those elements, but only as a principle. There’s the intention, but not so much of the delivery. And sadly, its results are too close to the endeavours of Downey Street.

We’re playing with a very English subject in a very English setting. We would obviously expect very English humour too. Wistfully, the dryness and wit we could hope for hardly pop up in this performance – which, all in all, turns out to be quite a disappointment. The opportunities to laugh are generally scarce, and the sharpness and intelligence a piece like this requires is practically non-existent.

As a result, the viewer’s experience is rather flawed. No matter how much we try to force ourselves into the show, we keep finding resistance – to the point that, by the end of the rendition, all our efforts seem useless. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t have it. There’s no pungency, no cattiness or acuity. And we’re left with no other option than to let it go.

We can still praise Emma Wilkinson Wright’s approach to the character – probably, the sole salvageable asset in the whole production. Exuding presence and flair in her execution, her portrayal makes the fictional version way more likable than the original – bringing a fair level of warmth and authenticity to her image, and definitely sounding much more truss-worthy.

She wasn’t a favourite in the cabinet. And unfortunately, her incursion into the theatre, even as a spoof, hasn’t been too prosperous either. Though parting from an excellent premise, the only ten to be seen in The Last Days of Liz Truss? comes from its setting –  all the time, struggling to convey (let alone, fulfil) any hints of pith, shrewdness, and eventually, amusement. With the right rewrites, the show could establish itself as a landmark of its genre – guaranteed to make a better impression (and without too much difficulty, longer-lasting stay) than whom it caricatures. Lettuce pray next time they’ll do better.

All pictures credit to Tristram Kenton.

The Last Days of Liz Truss plays at London’s White Bear Theatre until 5 April. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara