LPT: Your play THE LAST DAYS OF LIZ TRUSS enjoyed two critically acclaimed, sold out runs at White Bear Theatre in Kennington.  Now it’s transferring to The Other Palace in Victoria, who would you most like to come and see it? (and why?)

1.     Liz herself – because I’m genuinely interested to hear her take on how we’ve portrayed her, and because it would be great to get a snap of her and Emma (who plays Liz) on Insta!

2.     Anyone who’s interested in politics – because the play explores a rich set of issues that feel as relevant today as they were on the day of Liz’s resignation. 

Having read philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford university, where did this take your early career?

Like too many PPEists: towards front-line politics. I was an activist, an elected Councillor and – briefly - on Labour’s national list of members approved to seek parliamentary candidacies. I also worked as an official in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, where I got a basinful of insight into the world of Government Ministers and life in Number 10. All of which made me realise that, when it comes to politics, I should be a quitter, not a fighter.

Looking back at some of those experiences, did you have any inkling that one day you would be writing plays?

None whatsoever. Writing has been – and continues to be - a beautiful surprise!

It didn’t happen until you were in your 50s, but at some point, you decided on a radical change of career. How did this come about?

Emma (who plays Liz, and who is also my wife) did the Theatre Lab MA programme at RADA in 2018. The intensity of that programme is such that other halves either quit their relationships or get drawn into the theatrical life. It was all so much fun that I couldn’t help but take the latter option. I can’t act – and even if I could, we can’t afford two actors in one household - so writing seemed like the next best way of getting involved.

Your last play ASSISTED was also a big hit. It was taken up by BBC Radio 4 and performed by Emma alongside Tamsin Greig and Jude Owusu. What have your learnt from your earlier success that has fed into your LIZ TRUSS play?

Write early, write often; accept that some of your favourite lines aren’t going to make it to the final draft; and appreciate your immense good fortune every time your work gets performed.

The play (THE LAST DAYS OF LIZ TRUSS?) is a little ambiguous and can be read as confirming the popular impression of Liz Truss as incompetent, but there’s plenty of room to also see her as a victim of the press. Could you enlighten us? 

Both propositions can be true.

Emma, is twice nominated off-west end actor, and was named Best Actor in London Pub Theatre Awards 2025 for her performance as Liz Truss.   How did you help shape her performance through your writing?

Emma’s work shapes my writing far more than my writing shapes her work! I wrote the play with her in mind for the role. But I also pride myself on being a good researcher, and I’ve tried to share insights from the research in the many conversations we’ve had about the play as well as in the script itself.

There’s a terrific voice over from Steve Nallon in all the other roles (including  Jacob Rees-Mogg), wonderfully humorous.  What is your favourite scene?

Steve is so talented that it’s hard to single out any of the voices he performs. I loved Spitting Image, so his delivery of the Thatcher lines is a real thrill. But yah, Jakey’s always good for a laugh … 

The play is produced by OXIA theatre. Please could you tell us more about this company and your involvement.

Oxia Theatre seeks to explore vital and urgent issues through original writing and innovative methods. Emma is the Artistic Director; I’m the Writer in Residence. If you want to know more, visit www.oxiatheatre.com and, if you come to Liz Truss, scan the QR code to join our mailing list. Or DM Emma on Insta (@emmamaiwright).

Have you got the next play forming in your head? 

I’m part-way through writing one and am just starting a second. (I find I write better if I have more than one project on the go at any time.) I have a policy of keeping everything under wraps until I’ve got a full draft – because I’m worried that if I reveal any ideas, someone more disciplined than me will nick them and get a script out while I’m still faffing about! 

Finally, what are you most looking forward to sharing with audiences?

The play’s new ending.

THE LAST DAYS OF LIZ TRUSS? is at The Other Palace Theatre, Victoria 3 - 15 March.  Tickets can be purchased here.