It’s been 18 months since Labour’s “loveless landslide” swept him into Parliament. 18 months of voting for things he doesn’t understand. Constituents he can’t help. Abuse. Failure. Late-night drinking sessions.
And so we find him.
One man. One constituency office. Wondering how he got here - and how the hell he gets out.
Then terrier-like journo Abi McCormack calls.
Things are about to get a lot worse…
The Red Prince is a comedy about loneliness, inadequacy, and the people we elect to run our country.
We sat down with director Susan Nickson to learn more about the piece.
How would you describe the character of Craig Kitman?
Hmmm. He's an uptight, late thirties man. Disappointed in his lot. I think he believed he could do good, that he could change the world by contributing politically but has been made impotent and disheartened by the system. He's essentially a good man, but that's not an easy thing to uphold in his line of work.
This piece marks your directing debut, how have you been finding the process?
It's been the most fun. The script was there and in good shape long before I got involved. Ben is incredibly adaptable as a performer and Tim isn't precious about the script. I'm incredibly lucky to be working with friends.
How different is the creative process of writing to directing?
It's really similar. In both you're trying to deliver a cohesive piece. In both you're thinking about it visually. They both wake you up at 3am panicking. I've had maybe more anxiety dreams about this because I haven't done it before. In my worst dream I had decided to translate the play into a new language that I had personally created and insisted upon. So I got to rehearsals and Ben was pretty much talking Klingon. That was a cold sweat kind of night. Once rehearsals were underway I became much more relaxed about it.
How have you approached navigating directing the themes that are discussed in the play?
There are several themes that dominate the piece. It's a case of isolating each one, then watching that through line, that journey and making sure there is a fairly satisfactory conclusion to each. It's like writing in that way.
You’ve worked both on stage and screen, do you have to approach these any differently?
Not especially. My motivation is to make people laugh and provide entertertainment and respite for a short viewing period. It's to keep the audience engaged in both forms. Fingers crossed we have a very funny engaging piece of theatre.
You’ve worked with writer Tim Dawson previously, how did that connection come about and how fun is it to get to work with a friend?
It's good to be able to tell him to shut up.
What was the first piece of theatre that you remember having a big impact on you?
I used to sneak out and watch stand-up in Liverpool when I was 12 or 13. That certainly made me want to work in comedy in a live ish form. I also remember things like Rik and Ade in Waiting for Godot which was great but unusual for me as a kid as I was used to their more high energy, maniacal comedy.
What keeps you inspired?
I don't know. Desperate people pleasing tendencies maybe? Wanting not to be looked at but wanting to be 'seen'. Being behind the lens or behind the curtain gives voice to what you want to say without having to physically be accountable. I live a coward's life basically. I want people to laugh and be happy, without necessarily knowing that I contributed to it.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing The Red Prince?
Well as I said, primarily I want them to laugh. I want them to see the humanity behind politicians - I want these public figures to become accessible rather than above us or apart from us. I really want people to come and see it and have a really delightful evening. It's not a dark piece although it deals with some very bleak subjects. Our aim isn't to shock or create something wildly avant garde - we want to represent a public figure with warmth and humanity and loads of jokes.
The Red Prince runs at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in London from 24th February until 7th March 2026. Tickets and more information are available from https://redprinceplay.co.uk/
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