NO one would have put money on Geoffrey Howe having the political ability to take down Margaret Thatcher, and this is the theme of a new play coming to Malvern Theatres.

Howe was Thatcher's Foreign Secretary; but one political opponent, the Labour bruiser Dennis Healey, once famously described Howe's attacks during debates as "like being savaged by a dead sheep".

Both sides of the house erupted with laughter.

However, a new play, called "Dead Sheep", is "the true story of how Mrs Thatcher, once the most powerful woman in the western world, was brought down by her one time friend and political soul mate, with one of the greatest speeches ever made".

Howe, in fact, was inspired by his wife Elspeth, whose relationship with Mrs Thatcher had been notoriously frosty.

The play comes to the Festival Theatre from Monday, November 14 to Saturday, November 19.

Tickets and further details on, 01684 892277.