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When Britain's BBC mothballed its hit political comedies Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister in 1988 after eight years and 38 episodes, the show's creators, Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay, thought that was that.
The writers refused to consider reprising the series on the grounds that the original actors were no longer available -- until they saw Daniel Craig inject new energy into the James Bond franchise in 2006.
Lynn said in Melbourne yesterday: "We thought of Daniel Craig and the many different Sherlock Holmes, and Hamlet -- now there's a role that's been played by more than one actor."
They thought audiences might embrace new faces in the well-worn roles of prime minister Jim Hacker and his obsequious cabinet secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby.
In 2009, a stage version was conceived. It premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre the following year and then a season on the West End was confirmed.
Yes, Prime Minister has been on stage in London or elsewhere in Britain pretty much since.
© The Australian
