Hansard
Hansard; noun
The official report of all parliamentary debates.
It’s a summer’s morning in 1988 and Tory politician Robin Hesketh has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife of 30 years, Diana. But all is not as blissful as it seems. Diana has a stinking hangover, a fox is destroying the garden, and secrets are being dug up all over the place. As the day draws on, what starts as gentle ribbing and the familiar rhythms of marital sparring quickly turns to blood-sport.
A witty and devastating new play.
The NT Live broadcast of Hansard took place on 7 November 2019.
Hansard is now available to watch on National Theatre at Home.
Simon Godwin (Antony & Cleopatra) directs Simon Woods’ witty and devastating portrait of the governing class.
Olivier Award winners Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings return to the National Theatre to play Diana and Robin.
Production supported by Marcia Grand in loving memory of Richard Grand; Leila Maw Straus; Shawn M. Donnelley & Christopher M. Kelly. The play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award.
Buy the book
Order the playtext by Simon Woods from our online shop. Every purchase supports the work of the National Theatre.
Talks and events
Director Simon Godwin and Writer Simon Woods on Hansard Thu 12 Sep, 6pm
Parliamentary Voting: Personal Beliefs vs Party Line Mon 14 Oct, 6pm
Exploring Hansard Tue 15 Oct, 10.30am
Inside the Hansard Rehearsal Room Fri 8 November, 7.45pm
Actors Lindsay Duncan and Alex Jennings on Hansard Wed 13 Nov, 3pm