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Live On Stage
Thursday September 25 2025, 7pm BST

The Thick of It: 20 Years On, with Armando Iannucci and Special Guests

Malcolm Tucker. Pet ASBOs. A law requiring everyone in Britain to carry around a plastic bag.

It’s been twenty years since Armando Iannucci‘s The Thick of It first brought the chaos and drama of the fictitious ‘Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship’ into our lives. First aired on the BBC in 2005, the show satirised the Blair government’s spin-heavy politics, with Peter Capaldi’s foul-mouthed character Malcolm Tucker quickly becoming one of Britain’s most unforgettable TV villains. 

On September 25, Iannucci comes to Alexandra Palace Theatre alongside actors from the show Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Rebecca Front to relive some of the funniest moments from the show, reveal behind-the-scenes stories and answer questions on whether a show like The Thick of It could ever work in today’s polarised political climate and social media news cycle.  

Join us live at Alexandra Palace Theatre and ask your questions in the audience Q&A.

Event Name

The Thick of It: 20 Years On, with Armando Iannucci and Special Guests

ATTEND IN PERSON

Speaker

  • Armando Iannucci

    Writer, satirist and broadcaster

Speaker

  • Chris Addison

    Acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, actor and director. He played Oliver Reeder in The Thick of It.

Speaker

  • Rebecca Front

    BAFTA award winning actor, writer and comedian. She played Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent in The Thick of It.

Speakers are subject to change.

Location
  • Alexandra Palace Theatre
  • Alexandra Palace Way
  • London
  • N22 7AY
Time
  • Thursday 25 September 2025
  • 7pm to 9pm BST

Speakers

Speaker

Armando Iannucci

Writer, satirist and broadcaster

Writer, satirist and broadcaster who has written, directed and produced numerous critically acclaimed films, television and radio comedy shows. His screenplay for the film 'In The Loop' was nominated for an Oscar at the Academy Awards. His BBC series – 'The Thick of It' – was nominated for 13 BAFTA Awards, winning five during its four-series run. He is also the writer of 'Veep' and co-creator of the popular Steve Coogan character Alan Partridge.  Iannucci is currently working on a stage production of Dr. Strangelove featuring Steve Coogan and coming to the West End in Autumn 2024.     
Speaker

Chris Addison

Acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, actor and director. He played Oliver Reeder in The Thick of It.

Acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, actor and director. He is currently co-creating and directing Tall Tales and Murder (RTE/BBC), having previously co-created and directed Breeders (Sky/FX) with Martin Freeman and Simon Blackwell. He has also served as a Producer and Director on Veep (HBO), and made his feature debut in 2019 with MGM’s The Hustle, starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. As an actor, Chris’ most recognised role is as Oliver Reeder in The Thick of It and as Toby Wright in In The Loop. In 2014 he starred in the Sky Living series Trying Again as well as appearing in multiple episodes of Series 8 of Doctor Who (BBC 1). His other appearances include Horrible Histories (CBBC). He is regularly involved in the BBC's opera and Prom coverage and has also written two books, been twice nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award (formally the Perrier Award) for his stand-up shows. He was also previously a regular panellist on Mock the Week (BBC 2).
Speaker

Rebecca Front

BAFTA award winning actor, writer and comedian. She played Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent in The Thick of It.

Actor, writer and comedian. She won the 2010 BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for The Thick of It (2009–2012). She is also known for her work in numerous other British comedies, including the radio show On The Hour (1992), The Day Today (1994), Knowing Me, Knowing You… with Alan Partridge (1994), Time Gentlemen Please (2000–2002), sketch show Big Train (2002), and Nighty Night (2004–2005). Front has also been seen in a number of dramatic roles, including Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent in Lewis (2006–2014), Mrs. Bennet in Death Comes to Pemberley (2013), Mrs. Landau in The Eichmann Show (2015), Vera in Humans (2015), and Death in Paradise (2019). Her theatre credits include the musicals Company and The Fix at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by Sam Mendes.

Speakers are subject to change.