Rehearsals begin for Maggie musical

Rehearsals have begun for controversial production Thatcher: The Musical, about the ex-PM's life.

Nine actresses from the all-woman Foursight theatre company will play Margaret Thatcher, aka the Iron Lady. The show will feature several musical numbers including The Cabinet Shuffle, The Tory Blues and The Grocer's Daughter.

Company director Naomi Cooke said that she accepts their choice of work is risky. "People will come with all sorts of expectations and their own points of view," she said. "It neither denigrates nor glorifies her. It is an examination of who she was and how she changed the political landscape of this country.

"We have been pondering Mrs Thatcher for some time. Many of us are Thatcher's children. She is a great subject matter for a play. It is an epic story."

As for whether Thatcher herself would be attending, she added: "We haven't sent her an invitation yet but we would be delighted if she or any members of her family came along."