Jim Hacker is back, older, but perhaps not wiser, and still utterly baffled by the real world. Hoping for a quiet retirement from Government as the master of Hacker College, Oxford, Jim instead finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee.
Enter Sir Humphrey Appleby, who has lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction. Can Humphrey and Jim outmanoeuvre the hostile students, the Fellows, and reality itself? Or is it finally time to say, “I’m Sorry, Prime Minister…”?
Starring Griff Rhys Jones as Jim Hacker and Clive Francis as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the final chapter of Yes, Minister, written and directed by BAFTA Award-winning Jonathan Lynn, finds the ex-Prime Minister and his nemesis in their old age, facing up to life in their retirement. Co-directed by Michael Gyngell and brimming with razor-sharp wit, nostalgic brilliance, and more double-speak than a press briefing, this is political comedy at its most timeless, and perhaps most timely.
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister premiered at The Barn Theatre in September 2023, followed by visits to Theatre Royal Bath and Cambridge Arts Theatre. The West End transfer, a first for The Barn Theatre, will run from 30 January and, due to exceptional demand, enjoy a recently announced two-week extension at the Apollo Theatre, closing on 9 May.
The product will then embark on a nine week tour, with casting yet to be announced, starting at the Arts Theatre Cambridge on 19 May 2026, visiting Richmond Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, New Victoria Theatre Woking, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Grand Opera House York, and Theatre Royal Brighton, with further dates to be announced.
Produced by Mark Goucher and Iwan Lewis, Bob Benton, Clive Hayley and Gavin Kalin, The Barn Theatre Production of I’m Sorry, Prime Minister, the long-awaited final chapter of British political satire is born out of Yes, Minister, the BBC television comedy series by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Comprising three seven-episode series, it was first transmitted on BBC2 from 1980 to 1984. A sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran for 16 episodes from 1986 to 1988. A hugely successful stage play entitled Yes, Prime Minister was premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010. The production transferred to the West End, where it played at three different theatres and also toured the UK twice to great acclaim.
Set principally in the private office of a British cabinet minister in the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs in Whitehall, Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister followed the ministerial career of Jim Hacker, played by Paul Eddington. His various struggles to formulate and enact policy or effect departmental changes are opposed by the British Civil Service, in particular his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Nigel Hawthorne. The series received several BAFTAs and in 2004 was voted sixth in the Britain’s Best Sitcom poll.
Tickets here.
I’M SORRY, PRIME MINISTER TOUR DATES 2026
The Arts Theatre Cambridge, 19 May-23 May | Richmond Theatre, 26-30 May | Theatre Royal Bath, 2 June-6 June | New Victoria Theatre, Woking, 9 – Saturday 13 June | Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury 16-20 June | Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, 23-27 June | Milton Keynes Theatre, 30 June -4 July | Grand Opera House York, 7-11 July | Theatre Royal Brighton, 14 -18 July | Further dates to be confirmed…
