First produced in 1994, this satirical theatrical revue is based on a traditional requiem format, which is also a review of Conservative rule the last time round, from 1979 - 1997. The words are selected from Simon Rae's weekly Saturday poems, which appeared during that time in The Guardian, set in a variety of musical styles by Sue Casson.

The idea of using Rae's poems as the basis for writing a revue in the form of a Requiem was director Tom Blackmore’s.

Based on a Latin liturgy, the traditional requiem follows the progress of departed souls from the moment of death and mourning, to their final resting place in paradise, with each movement describing a different stage in the journey. This revue charts a journey that begins with the Falklands War, through the money grabbing 80’s, and looks towards the possible paradise we have in prospect.

It is a requiem for jobs, homes and aspirations; for paternalism in the workplace; for the right to personal privacy - and collectively, for an understanding of what truly matters in a world where the relentless pursuit of commercialism seems to have overshadowed all other considerations.  

With our first exclusively Conservative government in nearly 20 years presently in power, it is striking how little has changed. The message of Requiem remains as relevant now as it did 20 years ago.