Entertainment

Laura Wade’s Posh will bring privilege and the politics of the elite to Kingston’s Rose Theatre

By Abigail Cutler
October 12 2019, 12.45

Laura Wade’s 2010 dark and provocative comedy about ‘The Riot Club’ comes to Kingston’s Rose Theatre in a new production starring Tyger Drew-Honey.

As Boris Johnson takes the reins as the new Prime Minister, the first UK tour of Posh seems as topical as ever.

Wade said: “Power, privilege and entitlement are as much in the news now as they were when Posh was first performed, so it feels like a good time to bring the boys back to the table.”

Oxford’s prestigious and red-blooded Riot Club are back, but this time on one condition.

They must behave. Keep it out of the Daily Mail. Preserve the reputation of the club.

After its 2010 premiere at the Royal Court Theatre and 2012 West End transfer, Posh saw on-screen success when it was adapted into the 2014 film The Riot Club, starring Max Irons and Sam Claflin.

Based on Oxford’s infamous Bullingdon Club, whose past members include the likes of Johnson and David Cameron, Posh shines a spotlight on the privilege and politics behind the elite.

Drew-Honey, best known for his role as Jake in BBC’s Outnumbered, makes his stage debut as Alistair Ryle.

He said: “Alastair is such a nasty piece of work; he’s arrogant, cruel, patronising and condescending, but I could feel his words just rolling off my tongue. I can’t say Alastair’s lines without getting into character.

“I love how venomous and elitist he is; his monologues, the utter disdain he has for the middle-classes. I just loved the depth of the script. And it’s about time I played a really meaty baddie. I’ve never taken on that role before.”

Posh is playing at the Rose Theatre Kingston from October 15-19.

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