HIT West End comedy Handbagged arrives at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, on Monday, November 16, as part of its 13-week national tour.

The Olivier award-winning production, directed by Indhu Rubasingham speculates on the relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher and the conversations that happened behind closed palace doors.

The two icons were born in the same year, with one destined to rule and the other elected to lead. But when the stiff upper lip softened and the gloves came off, which one had the upper hand.

Starring Susie Blake, Kate Fahy, Emma Handy, Asif Khan, Sanchia McCormack and Rich Teverson, the play was written by Moria Buffini.

Designs are by Richard Kent, with lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, and sound design by Carolyn Downing Handbagged first premiered at the Tricycle Theatre in 2013, where it enjoyed a sell-out seven-week run, winning the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre (2014) and nominations for Best New Comedy and Best Ensemble Performance at the WhatsOnStage Awards (2014).

The production transferred to the West End in April, 2014, where it ran for a limited 17-week season and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy 2015.

  • Handbagged at the Everyman Theatre, November 16-21, with evening performances starting at 7.45pm. Tickets available from the box office on 01242 572573 or via www.everymantheatre.co.uk