Fringe show to explore career of "scandal-plagued peer" Lord Peter Mandelson

Mandy: Prince of Darkness, a one-man show written and performed by actor Richard Stirling, will chart Lord Mandelson’s career entirely in the politician’s own words.

His story will be told from the heights of New Labour triumph to scandal, resignation, reinvention and beyond. Using speeches, interviews and public statements, Mr Stirling explores ambition, loyalty, image, power and political survival through the voice of Lord Mandelson himself.

News of the show comes as the SNP warned that Labour still has “serious questions” to answer over the politician’s appointment as ambassador to the US, branding him a “scandal-plagued peer”.

Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September last year as a result of his links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Stirling said: “‘If people started to like me too much, I would lose all my power,’ said Peter Mandelson. Yet through fear or favour, those at the top kept offering him more.

“Whatever your politics, he remains one of the most compelling figures of the last 40 years, brilliant, elusive and endlessly quotable. An actor must love the character he plays. But what does this character think of himself?”

Mandy: Prince of Darkness is on from 7-29 August at Ivy Studio at Greenside @ George Street.