Next year I have two new shows opening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate Village.

On May 20 for two weeks, in collaboration with the theatre, I present a new show about Tom Lehrer, featuring many of his famous songs including Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, The Vatican Rag and The Elements.

And in the autumn I present my new play.  More details to follow.

My last show at UATG, in March and April last year, was Vodka with Stalin.  It told the true story of a British women, Rose Cohen, who in the 1920s was courted by the future Communist leader Harry Pollitt. 

She left him for Lenin’s agent in Britain, with whom she went to Moscow and had a baby – just in time to be caught up in Stalin’s purges. As a foreigner and a Jew, she was naturally suspected of being in league with Trotsky. 

Before that, A Modest Little Man, about Clem Attlee, played to full houses at UATG, received rave reviews, and was taken to Liverpool while the 2022 Labour Party conference was in the city.

Here are some of the comments about Vodka with Stalin:

“Vodka with Stalin is terrific theatre on cruelty to individuals in pursuit of a collective goal.” – Kevin Maguire, political editor, Daily Mirror. 

 “I was spellbound. The best political play since the David Hare classics. Terrific acting. Serious version of Death of Stalin.” – Denis MacShane, former Minister for Europe. 

“Deeply researched and compelling.” – Mary Conway, Morning Star. 

 “Francis Beckett is particularly skilled at writing political plays which also bring out the humanity in his characters and allow us moments to laugh.” – Lizzie Loveridge, Theatrevibe.