In 1989, Margaret Thatcher had been PM for ten years ( yes, really! ). Several programmes marked the anniversary, nearly all of them took a fawning view of her leadership. All except for this one. Those rascals at 'Spitting Image' did a spoof stage musical based on her political career. It is easy to forget just how massively unpopular she was in the early 80's. Then the Falklands War happened and everything changed. Her popularity soared and remained high until the advent of the hated Poll Tax. 'Spitting Image' features Thatcher ( voiced by Steve Nallon ) in a 'West Side Story' type musical number, as 'Lady Bracknell' in a parody of 'The Importance Of Being Ernest' by Oscar Wilde, 'Miss Marbles' in an Agatha Christie sketch, and singing 'Send In The Troops' with General Galtieri. As was the case with 'Bumbledown', this makes some strong criticism of the main subject and the bizarre cult surrounding her.
The real Thatcher would be given the sack by her own party the following year.
Funniest moment - the farce sketch featuring Cecil Parkinson as Brian Rix, hiding in a wardrobe with Harvey Proctor MP when Sara Keays ( Parkinson's mistress ) comes calling!
The real Thatcher would be given the sack by her own party the following year.
Funniest moment - the farce sketch featuring Cecil Parkinson as Brian Rix, hiding in a wardrobe with Harvey Proctor MP when Sara Keays ( Parkinson's mistress ) comes calling!