Simon Ward reviews The Red Prince at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre

The term ‘Red Prince’ was first used as a tongue-in-cheek epithet for the sons of Labour grandees who had decided to go into politics and, it was implied, because of their pedigree, got distinctly preferential treatment compared to other candidates. Notable examples were Neil Kinnock’s son, Stephen, who made it into parliament and Will Straw, son of Jack, who did not. Craig Kitman MP (Benjamin May) enjoyed none of these privileges, so there is layer of irony in applying the term to him. He was, however, blessed with fortune: washed into parliament on the great tide of discontent that swept the Tories out and brought Labour into power at the last General Election. Unfortunately, when he got there, he found himself hopelessly out of his depth and miserable, drinking himself to sleep with vile House of Commons whisky.

Writer Tim Dawson clearly conveys the comically bizarre nature of an MP’s life. While the public assumes that politicians are living the high life in Westminster, remote from the real life concerns of their constituents, the reality is a miserable existence of late nights, interminable speeches and trudging through the lobby for incomprehensible votes. Their ability to actually make any real difference or help anyone is minimal. Yet the expectations are high and the workload is relentless. The opening crescendo of buzzing and pings as e-mails, voice notes and texts pile up is all too believable. And while Kitman struggles to define his role, and work out how to juggle life between the Houses of Parliament and his constituency in Bolton he finds the rest of his life falling apart. And when an MP’s life falls apart, you can rest assured that the press will be there to make sure that everyone hears about it.

For a play about the world of politics, this is a curiously apolitical piece. Kitman barely seems to have any views – he feels more put upon than anything else. He is, though, acutely aware of how he is perceived, yet cannot seem to help himself from making all the wrong decisions. Susan Nickson directs, breaking up the scenes and moving the action around to keep us listening. There are moments when it can feel a bit relentless, like an extended stand-up routine where some of the jokes perhaps get lost. That said, it is very funny at times, although I wonder whether it was aiming to build towards something that didn’t quite come off. What does come across clearly is a plea for sympathy for the some of the most reviled people in the country, who are, after all, just like us, doing their best but not always succeeding. May brings a lot of charm to the role, dealing rather well with a bit of heckling on the night I attended, and he makes a distinctly lovable anti-hero.

The Red Prince is running at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre, 42-44 Gaisford Street, London NW5 2ED until Saturday 7th March