Alexandra Wood on Hilary Mantel, Thatcher and political violence

When back in 2014, the Guardian published Hilary Mantel’s short story The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, it sparked intense controversy. Critics called it a "distasteful fantasy" and "dangerous nonsense”, while others, our Mickey included, would argue that actually it’s a smart, creative exploration of a polarised political era from a literary heavyweight. It’s also now a play, with Mantel’s short story in the safe hands of playwright Alexandra Wood. As if that wasn’t enough for Mick to want to get Alex on the Zoom, it’s opening in Liverpool, famously a bastion of anti-Thatcher sentiment. They’re chatting the brilliance of Mantel, alternative pasts and futures, Maggie’s legacy and political violence. The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher opens at the Liverpool Everyman on Saturday 2 May and runs until May 23. Tickets and more info available from everymanplayhouse.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Alexandra Wood on Hilary Mantel, Thatcher and political violence is an episode from Standard Issue Podcast by Standard Issue.

This episode is 24:02 long.

This episode was published on Apr 27, 2026.

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