Hilary Mantel's Margaret Thatcher assassination story gets stage premiere
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 9
Hilary Mantel's Margaret Thatcher assassination story gets stage premiere
7 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 9
Alexandra Wood's adaptation has opened at Liverpool Everyman, where it runs until 23 May, reframing the 2014 story around political violence and disenfranchised young men.
Set in 1983, it follows a Liverpool sniper waiting in Windsor to kill Thatcher, but its makers say the drama rejects assassination and instead probes how opponents should resolve differences.
The story drew fierce criticism when published, while the production arrives amid heightened concern over attacks on politicians in Britain and the US and lingering hostility to Thatcher in Liverpool.
When art depicts political assassination, is it a societal warning or a dangerous inspiration in our polarized world?
Does dramatizing historical grievances help societies heal, or does it risk reopening wounds that never truly closed?
The 2026 Liverpool Premiere of *The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher*: Political Polarization and Historical Reckoning on Stage
Overview
The stage adaptation of Hilary Mantel's provocative short story, 'The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher,' premiered at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre in May 2026, sparking intense discussion that connected Thatcher-era divisions with today's political polarization. Alexandra Wood's adaptation deepened themes of class, power, and political violence, using a powerful Hydra metaphor to question the cycle of power. Set in Liverpool—a city deeply scarred by Thatcher's policies and the 1981 Toxteth riots—the play resonated strongly with local historical grievances. While the original 2014 story faced fierce political backlash, the 2026 production received polarized critical reviews but no major political outcry. Exceptional performances and immersive design amplified its impact, supported by contextual events that enriched audience engagement.