Theatre During Thatcher

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her tenure would last until 1990. A fervent member of the United Kingdom’s center-right Conservative party, Thatcher ushered in an era of economic and political policies that would come to be known as Thatcherism. Proponents of Thatcherism, labeled Thatcherites, advocated for traditional moral standards and opposed permissive approaches to social norms like marriage and gender politics. Thatcherism espoused a focus on the family and individual effort with careful spending, as opposed to government welfare programs to aid the lower and middle class. Thatcherism had both an economic and artistic effect on the theatre being produced during Thatcher’s tenure. While not openly hostile to the arts, Thatcher did not prioritize its funding, and many theatres experienced financial downturns. Meanwhile, new plays began to reflect Thatcher’s polarizing policies and approach to governing. This guide will explore the influence of Margaret Thatcher’s social and economic policies on British theatre.

Terminology

• Thatcherism: A conservative political and economic ideology popularized under British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Key Dates & Events

• May 4, 1979: Margaret Thatcher becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
• August 28, 1982: Top Girls premiers at the Royal Court Theatre.
• March 21, 1987: Serious Money premiers at the Royal Court Theatre.
• November 28, 1990: Thatcher resigns as Prime Minister after being ousted from leadership by the Conservative Party.