PIP Utton is an Edinburgh Fringe legend and is known throughout the world for his portrayals of Hitler, Churchill, Dickens, Casanaova, Chaplin, Hancock, and many others.

Yet for one night Pip will become the Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher. As one of the leading solo performers in the United Kingdom most of his plays are monodramas, performable by a single actor. Utton won the top award at the 2006 Thespis 5th International Monodrama Festival performing “Bacon” written by Utton and Jeremy Towler.

Not merely a reflection on how to portray this lady but a live audience with Margaret Thatcher. Pip Utton is The Iron Lady! Saviour or witch? Love her or hate her? Not for Pip to decide, only to portray. She divided the nation like no other politician, she changed the face of British, perhaps world politics forever and the effects of her influence and policies are still felt today. Listen to her philosophies, her inspiration and her logic, and then take the chance to question her. 'Maggie' is probably Pip's greatest challenge yet. Pip not only becomes Margaret Thatcher but risks taking audience questions, and answering them as Maggie!

With a boldness that would surely have impressed his subject, Utton improvises responses on topics as diverse as the Poll Tax, the miners’ strike, the Eurozone, even the Labour Party now. Some of the rejoinders are knowingly evasive, some surprisingly well-researched, some entertainingly droll. “How much did Denis influence your success?” “I would think hardly at all,” came the reply.

The mannerisms, the voice, the appearance, the immense and detailed research are all strikingly noteworthy but what you won’t be able to believe is the heart. The heart of Mrs. Thatcher, the essence. Many of his plays evoke a strong audience reaction: Adolf induced some audience members to leave during the performance, and his portrayal of Thatcher is bound to generate some strong audience reaction.

Pip Utton is at Otley Courthouse on Friday, September 22 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £11pp, for ages 14+ To book tickets visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, call the box office on 01943 467466 or pop into the Courthouse on Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN