Photo credit – Charlie Flint
Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky have sharpened their pencils once again to scribe another political drama following on from their success with ‘The Gang of Three.’ The play is set in 1986/87 during a difficult period for print workers when Rupert Murdoch took on the unions, by sacking the unionised workforce on Fleet Street, moving his News International production to Wapping using new, less labour intense methods of production, with no unions. Previously, the print unions had a strong-hold on the hiring of print workers, and press bosses were held to ransom by their strength and influence. When the Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher came into power in 1979, changes were made to the laws governing strike action, and Rupert Murdoch stepped into the fray to capitalise on these changes.
Khan and Salinsky’s play is presented in a documentary style, frequently communicating directly to the audience, informing us of the facts, whilst making it an entertaining watch. The main two characters are Brenda Dean (Claudia Jolly), who was elected in 1985 as General Secretary of the one of the largest unions – SOGAT (The Society of Graphical and Allied Trades), and Rupert Murdoch (Alan Cox), head of News International, and serial entrepreneur. The supporting cast, Alastair Harvey, Georgia Landers, Jonathan Jaynes, and Russell Bentley, add to the depth of the play, with the highlights being Russell Bentley’s obnoxious Kelvin Mackenzie (The Sun editor), and Alasdair Harvey’s – Andrew Neil. Excellently directed by Josh Roche, this idea of talking directly to the audience brings the viewer closer to the action. The staging at the King’s Head Theatre works well, with the audience wrapped around three sides of the action, which is fast-paced, and never misses a beat.
At the heart of the play is the grown-up version of a young girl called Brenda Dean, whose father worked hard, but never saw the financial benefit for his labour. As a ten-year-old she would calculate what her father’s fellow workers should be paid, so that they could take this up with their bosses. Dean, took this ideology into adulthood to provide support for the print workers, but in spite of her efforts and with some naivety, she was a thorn in his side, but Murdoch had the upper hand and always remained one step ahead. Jolly, is a strong Brenda Dean, working within a male dominated industry, whilst attempting to hold back the tide of change that washed over Fleet Street. Cox, plays Murdoch as a cunning fox, preying on the unions and finding their weak spot before devouring them. Of course, Murdoch had the support of the government, but the weakness of the union’s case, was their lack of solidarity, and the play echoes this.
The simple set designed by Peiyao Wang, gives the script room to breathe, and sets off the excellent performances by the ensemble. If you love political theatre, or you just enjoy drama, go along to The King’s Head Theatre before the show closes, you will not be disappointed!
To book tickets, go to – https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/in-the-print-8y4s. The play runs until the 3rd May 2026.
Reviewed – 9th April 2026
Theatre Muse UK Rating – ****
