First Opera about Margaret Thatcher Premieres Later This Year

An opera titled 'Mrs T' is set to premiere this year, marking the centenary of Margaret Thatcher's birth and exploring her time as Britain's first female prime minister. Created by historian Dominic Sandbrook and composer Joseph Phibbs, the two-act piece will delve into both the political landscape of her 11 years in office and the more personal aspects of her character. It will highlight key moments and figures from her tenure, including her relationship with Geoffrey Howe and his wife, who is portrayed as a Lady Macbeth figure. The opera aims to capture Thatcher's theatrical personality, with Phibbs noting that her life has a 'Shakespearean' quality, particularly her political rise and fall. Casting includes mezzo-soprano Lucy Schaufer as Thatcher, with previews expected in London this autumn. This production is being heralded as the first opera focused on Thatcher during her prime ministership, bringing a unique perspective to her legacy.