It’s not often that the sons of famous historical politicians sit in the audience of a play about their fathers.
But on Wednesday evening, 28 October 2026, at The Gang of Three, currently on stage at the Oxford Playhouse, the sons of Denis Healey and former Prime Minister Harold Wilson were in the audience.
This production was a chance to revisit a defining moment in the Labour Party’s history, when three potential leaders – Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland – were vying for power.
The show goes on
First, a mention for co-writer Tom Salinsky, who is not a trained actor but stepped in at the last moment after Hywel Morgan, who was playing Jenkins, lost his voice and had to pull out of Wednesday’s performance. Script in hand, Salinsky did an admirable job, and in true theatrical spirit, the show went on!
Written by Tom Salinsky and Robert Khan, the play takes us back to the 1970s and 1980s, to conversations behind closed doors amid economic crisis and political upheaval.
Political ambition behind closed doors
These three big characters, all contemporaries at Oxford University, made for a fascinating picture of political ambition and the quest for power. Alan Cox played Crosland and Colin Tierney played Healey, alongside Jenkins. It made us wonder whether the same sort of discussions still take place in the corridors of Westminster – and we suspect they do.
Healey had some great one-liners: “the pound is being defibrillated outside” during the party conference, and “one is never bored when drunk”. We also heard about his 1980s scuffle with a skinhead. Crosland was just as colourful, with his drinking, smoking and womanising. At times, it felt like three grown men behaving like spoilt children.
The production gave us a snapshot of what might have been said behind closed doors. It was fascinating to imagine how different things could have been, leaving us with plenty of “what ifs” as the cast took their bows.
Timing, luck and the greater good
The play asks a big question: are people willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good?
We stayed for the post-show talk, led by director Kirsty Patrick Ward, who was joined by Robert Khan and two Oxford academics.
There was plenty of discussion about timing and luck. If the three men had worked together, could one of them have become prime minister? And would Labour have been a different kind of opposition to Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives in the 1980s? The consensus was that Healey might just have given Thatcher a run for her money.
The Gang of Three is at the Oxford Playhouse until Saturday 31 October 2026. For more information or tickets, visit the Oxford Playhouse production page or contact the box office on 01865 305305.
Performance details
The remaining Oxford performances are Friday 30 October at 7.30pm and Saturday 31 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. The running time is 90 minutes without an interval, with age guidance of 14+.
Oxford Playhouse is on Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW. See the theatre’s visitor information or contact the box office about access requirements and ticket availability.
Full UK tour dates
The official production website lists the following stops for the autumn 2026 tour. Earlier dates are included for reference.
| Dates | Town or city | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–11 October 2026 | London | King’s Head Theatre | Completed |
| 13–17 October 2026 | Richmond | Richmond Theatre | Completed |
| 27–31 October 2026 | Oxford | Oxford Playhouse | Current run |
| 3–7 November 2026 | Cambridge | Arts Theatre | Upcoming |
| 10–14 November 2026 | Chichester | Chichester Festival Theatre | Listed as sold out |
| 17–21 November 2026 | Guildford | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre | Upcoming |
