LOVE her or loathe her, a powerful play about Margaret Thatcher is heading to Dorset with Artsreach.

Pip Utton is the Iron Lady. Love her or hate her? Not for Pip to decide, only to portray at a series of village hall performances across Dorset in January and February, including one at West Stafford on Saturday, January 14.

Pip Utton, a firm favourite on the Artsreach touring circuit in Dorset and a legend at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has produced numerous spellbinding performances over recent years, including Churchill, Chaplin and Charles Dickens.

Winner of The Stage Special Award for Acting Excellence in 2015, Playing Maggie, The Iron Lady is his latest triumphant piece of new writing.

From 1979, prime minister Margaret Thatcher divided the nation like no other politician; she changed the face of British politics, and perhaps world politics forever. The effects of her influence is still felt today.

In this spellbinding and provocative performance, listen to her philosophies, her inspiration and her logic, and then take the chance to question her as Pip not only becomes Margaret Thatcher, but risks taking audience questions, and answering them as The Iron Lady herself.

Artsreach co director Kerry Bartlett said: “As Dorset’s arts charity we are thrilled that, thanks for the support of our funders and partners such as solicitors Blanchards Bailey, we are able to continue to bring such outstanding new writing by acclaimed actors like Pip Utton to the county.”

n Maggie, The Iron Lady, on January 11, 7.30pm at Nether Compton village hall (01935 413220), on January 14 at 7.30pm at West Stafford village hall (01305 265282), on February 24, 7.30pm at Shipton Gorge village hall (01308 897562) and February 25, 7.30pm at Briantspuddle village hall (01929 471002).