BWW Reviews: THREE LIONS, St James Theatre, March 26 2015

In Three Lions, writer William Gaminara asks a very simple question - what happened in the Swiss hotel when David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham were gearing up for the World Cup 2018 bid? The result is a farcical production, which had the audience laughing loudly in the St James Theatre.

Three of the best-known and influential men in the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron (Dugald Bruce-Lockhart), heir to the British throne Prince William (Tom Davey) and footballer and fashion icon Beckham (Sean Browne) are all staying in the same hotel as they get ready to present England's bid to host the World Cup 2018. Browne is the most physically accurate as Beckham and plays on his naivete as he struggles to figure out how old he'll be in eight years' time and proudly displays his Lego model of the Taj Mahal, which everyone thinks is the work of his son, Brooklyn. Bruce-Lockhart perfectly captures Cameron's well-known traits, from the way he speaks and stands, to his panicked red-face when things go wrong - often seen during particularly difficult interviews. Davey portrays Prince William as a practical joker who often takes tips on jokes from his father and grandfather, much to Cameron's dismay in this production, and repeatedly uses the phrase 'Deffo'.

Director Philip Wilson ensures that the slick production maintains a steady pace, and the two-hour running time does not feel too lengthy. Both Antonia Kinlay as Penny, Cameron's poor assistant, and Ravi Ujla as a suspiciously knowledgeable and accommodating hotel attendant keep the production flowing. Even the simplest of jokes get a laugh, like the moment the set changes from Prince William's Presidential Suite at the hotel to David Cameron's room, and the audience witnesses the room shrink to a tiny size.

I can't help but feel that it's a bit late in its arrival, however. Given that the bid took place five years ago in 2010 and the show itself premiered two years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it's a shame that it didn't make it to the London stage when it was slightly more relevant - although, with the upcoming election, scrutiny surrounding the Conservative leader is at an all-time high. Gaminara's production mixes the seedy bribe-filled world of politics and football with comedy, ensuring an enjoyable time - even for those who aren't avid football fans.

Photo Credit: Geraint Lewis

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