'The Three Lions' St James Theatre ****

What would you think if three influential British figures, who you would not expect to be in the same hotel with one another are discussing the bid of the Fifa World Cup 2018 and 2022? St James Theatre’s production of William Gaminara’s play, ‘The Three Lions’ was a hilariously written play, as well as, the performances were enormously well portrayed.

‘The Three Lions’ is set in Switzerland, 2010 where Prime Minister, David Cameron is working rigorously to ensure that the United Kingdom wins its bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. However, there is a mix up with the room situation where the Prime Minister’s assistant, Penny (Antonia Kinlay) is working tirelessly to resolve this situation, which means he will have to share the room with internationally renowned footballer, David Beckham, but he does not have a problem with sharing the room. When the regal Prince William enters the room to discuss the bid, he tries to pretend that he is one of the civilians, and ends up looking like a complete and utter fool. They are soon acquainted with one of the hotel staff, Ashok (Ravi Aujula), he appears that he is a devotee of David Cameron’s political policies, which cheers Cameron up as Ashok’s brother, Vikram does not even know who he is. Whereas he does recognise David Beckham as he is a porting talent. During the performance, there are countless rib-tickling moments when David Beckham asks Prince William if his talentless wife, Victoria can perform at his and Kate’s wedding, and when David Cameron fails at keepie uppies.  In their conversations about the bid, we can see how foolhardy David Beckham actually is and there is apprehension present when they think someone can overhear their discussions.   After Cameron, Beckham and Prince William return after finding out the Russia and Qatar have triumphed as victors of the bids, there is a huge kerfuffle about the trousers that Prince William and David Cameron have sent to be dry-cleaned and there is a moments where David Cameron is trying to put on David Beckham’s tight suit trousers.  At the finale of the play, Ashok reveals his true identity in which he is an English journalist and is about to expose these obstinate situations. Gaminara’s narrative is hysterical as you are witnessing how these three people are communicating with each other and how funny the dialogue is.

One found the performances by the company of, ‘The Three Lions’ to be increasingly side-spitting through grand vocal delivery and well executed movements that are realistic to the characters. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is glorious as Prime Minister David Cameron; primarily when you see him wounded by the fact that the hotel staff have no knowledge of who he is and his football abilities leave a lot to be desired.  Seán Browne is fantastic as football legend, David Beckham; mainly how realistic how physically accurate he looks and his accent is very natural which is very pleasing to see, additionally how senseless the character’s traits are. Tom Davey is superlative as HRH, Prince William; largely the goofy presence that he conveys through his facial expressions snd how articulated his voice is to suggest the line of the royal family and how he thinks he can be cool, but not in this instance.

Phillip Wilson’s direction is bravura here as he has presented a play that is quite possibly the funniest play I have seen in a long while where you are constantly left with a sore stomach due to all the laughing. Colin Falconer’s set and costume designs are flamboyant with clean lines as I looks like a corporate hotel room which looks like that each room is of a similar appearance and the corporate chains of hotels such as the ‘Hilton’ are that hold conferences that will ultimately be televised worldwide. Overall, the experience of, ‘The Three Lions’ was a rip-roaring ride ha leaves you in stitches, and his can be said through the entire audience.