THE voice at the other end of the line is "the best Mrs Thatcher since Spitting Image's Steve Nallon", to quote comedian Arthur Smith.

The stage show connected to that voice is "Glorious camp with political punch" (The Times); "Comic perfection" (So So Gay) or "Less than respectful" (Daily Telegraph), as you can discover at the Great Yorkshire Fringe in York on August 1.

Margaret Thatcher has reinvented herself as a drag act – although some would say, "Didn't she do that already?" in her voice-deepened political lifetime – for the Fringe hit Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho, performed and co-written by Matt Tedford.

One MT switches into the other MT for the purposes of this phone interview and stays in character throughout, maintaining the Thatcher sang froid and self assurance, impervious to all humour, making her such a provocation for satirists, be it Spitting Image's puppets or Steve Bell's manic-eyed cartoon strips in the Guardian.

Or now Tetford's joyous romp with a serious subtext, the thorny issue of the Section 28 bill as he "gives an insight into the difference an individual could have made", coupled with "a side-swipe at homophobia and censorship".

York Press:

On the attack: Matt Tetford as Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho. Picture. Mihaela Bodlovic

Opening pleasantries exchanged – no, she hadn't died; "you shouldn't believe what you read in the liberal press" – Mrs T explained the show's content: "It takes place on the eve of vote on Section 28, when I give up politics to become the spirit of cabaret, music and dance after I get lost in Soho and accidentally turn into a cabaret superstar."

Why? "Because the country needed it. There was no decent life left for me in politics," said Mrs T.

Should you need reminding, Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 prohibited local authorities in England and Wales from "promoting" homosexuality. It also labelled gay family relationships as "pretend", says the Stonewall campaign organisation, which noted how anti-gay groups frequently said Section 28 was used to prevent teaching about gay issues in schools.

 

"Local authorities were putting money into the promotion of homosexuality at school," said Mrs T, suddenly taking a turn for the sterner. Was Section 28 an over-reaction, Prime Minister. "No, I'm not one for over-reacting," Mrs T replied.

You will have to watch the show to discover whether she will change her mind over the homophobic bill before it is too late, but she does admit to enjoying her sudden new status as a Soho cabaret queen.

"It's very liberating for me. I've met some truly lovely people who I would never have spoken to before and it's been interesting to actually listen to people, all over the country," she said.

What have they been saying to you? More to the point, do you expect a warm welcome in York? "I've got my tank ready for York," said Mrs T.

York Press:

Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho: "I'm known in all the gay clubs now". Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

What do you know of York? "It's in the North, dear. There's Bettys Tea Rooms with their Fat Rascals," says Mrs T. "I'm rather partial to a Fat Rascal, I've been called far worse."

How has this show changed your life? "I'm known in all the gay clubs now," she said with pride. Did you find any MPs in those clubs? "There's nothing more Conservative than being a closeted homosexual," she said.

What has Mrs T learned from the reaction to the Queen Of Soho show? "That I was right all along. History hasn't been kind to me, but I blame Meryl Streep for the way she played me," she said.

"I can't walk down the street without people shouting at me." Wasn't that always the case? "But this time, it's niceties. 'We love you Maggie'. 'Five more years'."

Her York performance falls on Yorkshire Day, August 1. Is Mrs T brave in coming to Yorkshire, given the impact of the Miners' Strikes? "They wanted more free time. The miners were always complaining. Now they have more free time," she said.

How endearing. Mrs T is on a roll now, revelling in the show's popularity. "I represent everybody; men, women, children, even Prime Ministers. People forget that I'm just an ordinary working-class woman who married a millionaire. There's a universal appeal to Margaret Thatcher. Everyone has an opinion of me, be it good or very good, but then I always knew I was popular," she said.

York Press:

Uplifting support for Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

"And there's everything in this show: cabaret, song, dance, tap, you name it. Audience interaction. A chance to get involved with Mrs Thatcher. Something for everyone, like the Tory manifesto."

Tedford's Mrs Thatcher will be wearing the familiar Thatcher blue and pearls. "All homosexuals enjoy a pearl necklace," Mrs T said. "I've always been a bit of a gay icon with that look. I'm basically Cher but I never released a record."

Wasn't it said the men in your Cabinet found you alluring, Mrs Thatcher? "Ah, yes, the eyes of Caligula and the lips of Marilyn Monroe. Don't you find powerful women alluring? Men enjoy being told what to do," she asserted. Oh, wasn't Denis in control in the Thatcher house? "Only on Friday nights, dear."

As Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho prepares to play York and a summer run at the Edinburgh Fringe, what has she learnt from her encounter with clubland? "The lady was for turning after all," said Tedford's Mrs T.

Margaret Thatcher Queen Of Soho, The Great Yorkshire Fringe, The Turn Pot, August 1, 7pm. Box office: 01904 500600 or greatyorkshirefringe.com