Thatcher stars in "Yes, Minister"
Daily Telegraph, January 21 1984
By Robin Stringer TV and Radio Correspondent
Hawthorne, with a slightly bemused expression, kindly inscribed this picture for my brother, an avid Yes Minister and Thatcher admirer, when I cornered the poor chap in Stratford after his magnificent portrayal of King Lear.
Click here to read Mrs Thatcher's script
Mrs Thatcher displayed previously unsuspected talents as a situation comedy script-writer and performer yesterday when she introduced the world premiere of "Yes, Prime Minister," her own adaptation of her favourite television programme.
She had been invited, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the National Viewers and Listeners Association, to present the creators of her favourite programme, "Yes, Minister," with the association's annual award.
But not content with her traditional, rather limited, role on such occasions, she invited the programme's two stars Paul Eddington, who plays the Minister, and Nigel Hawthorne, the Permanent Secretary, to join her in a sketch of her own invention.
She chose the best part for herself, that of Prime Minister, and the way in which she made the hapless Minister and his civil servant writhe and squirm had the audience in fits.
In the sketch, she managed also to fulfill, or at least set in train, what is plainly one of her profoundest ambitions - the abolition of all economists.
The Prime Minister made her debut in the Waldegrave Hall under All Souls Church next to Broadcasting House where members of Mrs Whitehouse's association had gathered for the awards ceremony.
In her preamble to the performance of a lifetime, she described "Yes, Minister" as "truly my favourite programme.
"Its closely observed portrayal of what goes on in the corridors of power has given me hours of poor joy.
Indeed we spent part of one Christmas break at Chequers revelling in a whole series of "Yes Ministers" on video.
"I therefore wondered how, on behalf of millions of viewers, I might show my appreciation of the superb acting and writing which goes into the programme.
"I am afraid that for Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne my idea will involve a little work. But I'm sure they won't mind. They are so professional.
"What I have in mind is that we might perform a little sketch in in Prime Minister's study.
"I know 'Yes Minister' has never identified the Prime Minister of the day for the very dubious reason that they thought I might be replaced by a man. Oh ye of little faith.
"So with apologies to Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn (the scriptwriters), I have arranged for Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne to have a couple of scripts.
"And I should be grateful if they would now join me in my imaginary study for the world premiere of "Yes, Prime Minister."
As the sketch ended to enthusiastic applause, Mrs Thatcher added: "Modesty forbids me to say how the plot works out in the end.
Another clue
"But I can give you another clue - the economy perks up as it is doing now."
Pointing out that "Yes Minister" has now been sold to 31 countries, Mrs Thatcher thought it was about time there was another series.
No new additions have been made for two years and the programmes shown last Spring were repeats.
But negotiations are under way for another series which it is hoped to begin producing before the end of the year.
First to the microphone when Mrs Thatcher had finished was one of the script-writers, Jonathan Lynn.
"We would congratulate the Prime Minister on taking her rightful place in the field of situation comedy."
Anthony Jay, his co-writer, said: "Under the new reciprocal arrangement I am looking forward to taking Cabinet and Jonathan will be answering questions in the House."
It emerged afterwards that Mrs Thatcher had worked on the script on Thursday with Bernard Ingham, her Press secretary. "I sharpened it up," she said.
On Thursday night copies were collected from 10 Downing Street and taken to Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne so that they could practice their lines.
Before launching into her highly polished amateur dramatics, Mrs Thatcher paid tribute to Mrs Whitehouse in the presence of Mr Stuart Young, BBC chairman.
"She had become concerned about the way the permissive society was being broadcast and invading our living rooms," said Mrs Thatcher.
"But she didn't just grumble about it.
"She decided to do something about it - to put obstacles in the way of those who, in her view, were in the business of transmitting smut; to halt the slide into what she believed was decadence; and to render what was transmitted over the airwaves more wholesome.
"Inevitably, she attracted criticism. Some tried to ridicule her and still do. But nothing will break her spirit.
"She has forced broadcasters and others to think twice about what they offer the public. Let no-one ever again say 'what can one person do?'"
Mrs Thatcher stayed for nearly an hour after the performance.
When Mrs Whitehouse slipped as she tried to step onto the stage, she was one of the first to come to her aid.
