The Falklands Play

The Falklands Play is a dramatic account of the political events leading up to, and including, the 1982 Falklands War. The play was written by Ian Curteis, an experienced writer who had started his television career in drama, but had increasingly come to specialise in dramatic reconstructions of history. It was originally commissioned by the BBC in 1983, for production and broadcast in 1986, but was subsequently shelved by Controller of BBC One Michael Grade due to its alleged pro-Margaret Thatcher stance and jingoistic tone. This prompted a press furore over media bias and censorship.The play was not staged until 2002, when it was broadcast in separate adaptations on BBC Television and Radio.

Cast

Patricia Hodge

Rt. Hon Margaret Thatcher (Prime Minister)

John Standing

Rt Hon William Whitelaw CH MC MP (Home Secretary)

Michael Cochrane

Rt Hon Nicholas Ridley MP (Financial Secretary to the Treasury)

James Fox

Rt Hon Peter, 6th Baron Carrington KCMG MC (Foreign Secretary)

Colin Stinton

Alexander Haig (US Secretary of State)

Anthony Calf

Robin Fearn (Head of Falkland Islands Department, Foreign Office)

Jeremy Child

Rt Hon Francis Pym MC MP (Foreign Secretary)

Richard Cordery

Tom Enders

Robert Hardy

Sir Anthony Parsons

John Woodvine

Adm. of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin

Rupert Vansittart

Sir Robert Armstrong (Cabinet Secretary)

Jonathan Coy

Richard Luce MP (Minister of State, Foreign Office)