The Palace of Varieties, named after Dennis’s description of the Houses of Parliament, will open at Derby Theatre on January 22 and run until February 5, 2022.
Ex-miner Dennis served as a Socialist MP for 50 years. His infamous belligerance and acerbic wit in the House of Commons earned him recognition as The Beast of Bolsover. But beneath the hard-line political image, is a man with a passion for nature and a soul who loves to sing.
Playwright Kevin Fegan’s script for The Palace of Varieties is driven by politics and a-cappella, in an entertaining night out down the miners’ welfare.
Gareth Williams will play the central role of Dennis Skinner. Gareth played Scrooge in Derby Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol in 2019 and appeared in the film, Peterloo.
Tickets £15; go to www.derbytheatre.co.uk