Bloody Difficult Women gets a vote of confidence

Although it’s gratifying that the traditional critics have got behind Bloody Difficult Women – the peerless Michael Billington described it as “powerful” and even The Spectator’s Lloyd Evans reckons it’s a “must-see” – it was always the political professionals I really wanted to impress with my debut play that is now running at the Riverside Studios in west London.

Labour’s Rupa Huq and Rosie Duffield – briefly, my opponent in Canterbury in the last election – along with Giles Watling for the Conservatives have all now given it a vote of confidence.

Much to my delight, Alastair Campbell, my colleague on this great newspaper, and his wife, Fiona, have lately come out in favour of it, too. Alastair was spotted in animated conversation afterwards with Theresa May – or at least Jessica Turner, who portrays her in the play – and this could well be the start of a beautiful friendship.