Life After Scandal - TNT

Actor turned playwright Robin Soans has already proved himself highly adept at editing interviews into serious and informative theatre, but this time round he's turned his cutting and splicing technique to dealing with the no longer rich but still quite famous who have fallen from grace in very public circumstances. In a media-hungry culture, bad behaviour sometimes generates its own rewards, and former minister Neil Hamilton and his resilient wife Christine (played by Michael Mears and Caroline Quentin) loom large as they explain how they've grabbed every opportunity — panto appearances included — to promote themselves since the 'Cash for Questions' debacle (which, 13 years down the track, is now barely remembered). Jonathan Aitken, another ex-MP, describes how he's put his life back together again after serving a jail sentence, while Who Wants to be A Millionaire? competitor Major Charles Ingram is still bitter about the discreet coughing that ruined his career. Edwina Currie (who ditched the dirt on her affair with former prime minister John Major) revels in her revenge at being passed over for promotion, while an aging Lord Montagu (movingly portrayed by Tim Preece) recalls with sadness his sentencing at a time when homosexual acts were still illegal. Like his subjects' pasts, Soans's message may be somewhat suspect, but this is still a hugely entertaining compilation which is well-served by a clutch of cleverly delineated performances.
Hampstead Eton Ave, NW3 (020-7722 9301). £13-£22. Until October 20