Churchill and Lloyd George Come to Life at the Tabard

A compelling play that needed more time to tell story of an epic friendship

Left: Joseph Emms as David Lloyd George. Right: Peter Swales as Winston Churchill

August 8, 2026

The lights go down, the audience hushes, and through the haze two silhouettes emerge. As the stage brightens, we blink as if peering back through the bleary eyes of history to find two of Britain’s most prominent political figures come to life.

David Lloyd George stands stage left. Winston Churchill, stage right. And between them: Frances Lloyd George, our narrator for the evening.

It’s a striking opening to Winston and David, which returns to the Tabard Theatre this August following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Written by David Lloyd George’s great-grandson, Robert, the play draws on previously unseen family documents to paint a portrait of history shaped by friendship, ambition and the emotional undercurrents that sit behind political life. It is, in many ways, the personal behind the political.

The one-hour production takes us on a whistlestop tour through some of Britain’s most significant events, from 1902 up to David’s death in 1945, offering snapshots of conversations behind some of the biggest decisions in British politics.

Portraying real people on stage is no easy task. There’s a fine line between capturing recognisable mannerisms and slipping into mere impersonation. Actors are required to balance authenticity with originality, all while carrying the expectations audiences bring with them before the first line is spoken.

None of this appears to faze Peter Swales, who is magnetic in his portrayal of Winston. He commands the stage with remarkable physicality, capturing Churchill’s larger-than-life public persona while revealing moments of vulnerability simmering beneath the surface.

Alexandra Donnachie as Frances Lloyd George (centre) narrates the development of the relationship

Joseph Emms brings great composure, pride and earnestness to David. He is never overshadowed by Swales; instead, he carves out his own path, complementing Swales’ performance with a quieter but equally compelling presence.

Together, Swales and Emms share a natural chemistry, conveying both the closeness of Winston and David’s friendship and the tensions of their rivalry. They also capture the fleeting awkwardness that arises whenever the two men struggle to express their platonic affection, constrained by the rigid expectations of masculinity at the time. Rather than diminishing their bond, this emotional restraint makes their relationship feel more intimate — and unexpectedly touching.

Although the play is titled Winston and David, the story is told through the eyes of Frances, David’s secretary, mistress and eventually wife. Alexandra Donnachie brings a welcome warmth to the stage, offering a woman’s perspective in what was then very much a man’s world. Her candour and personable manner when addressing the audience help the story flow.

The only drawback is the one-hour running time. Covering four decades of political and personal history inevitably means the pace feels rushed at times. Some snapshots feel slightly disjointed, occasionally making the narrative harder to follow or leaving loose ends untied.

The play also never quite decides whether its focus is the friendship between Winston and David or Frances’s role in their lives. Both strands are compelling, but neither is given quite enough room to breathe.

Nonetheless, Nick Hennegan’s direction is superb, giving the story dynamism and rhythm. The lighting design is also excellent, lending Frances a ghostly quality during her narration, while the drifting haze evokes the sensation of looking back through time.

For me, it’s four stars. Ultimately, Winston and David reminds us that behind the walls of Parliament lie friendships, rivalries and unlikely connections — and it gives two towering political figures a welcome touch of humanity.

Charli West

Tabard Theatre is at 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW just next to Turnham Green tube station.

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