The Michael Portillo Show

The Michael Portillo Show tickets and regional UK dates

Michael Portillo appears live on stage in a solo talk covering his decades in British public life, from Cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher to railway-travelling broadcaster. The show runs for one hour and forty-five minutes and carries an age guidance of 14 and over.

What the show covers

Portillo narrates his own life story across two distinct careers. He begins with his family background: his father fled the Spanish Civil War and came to England, where he met Portillo's mother while both were caring for refugee children. From there the show moves through his years in Conservative politics, his service under Margaret Thatcher, his campaign for the party leadership, and the election night defeat that became a widely remembered broadcast moment.

The talk then turns to his move into television, including an anecdote about playing a single mother on screen, before covering the railway journeys he has made across Spain, the United States, India and further afield. He presents those travels as a way of exploring history and the state of the world through its rail networks, with observations about Thatcher and reflections on political power woven throughout.

Practical considerations for audiences

The show is categorised as a talk rather than a theatrical production. An on-stage screen is used during the performance. The listed venues note that seats in upper levels or positions with restricted sightlines may not give a full view of that screen, so it is worth considering when choosing where to sit.

Dates, venues and booking links

These are the dates listed by ATG as checked on 21 September 2026. A date range may contain selected performances, rather than a show every day. Open your chosen venue link for exact times, seats and current prices.

Choosing your tickets

Start with the venue and date that suit your trip, then compare the seats offered by ATG. Check the final total, any restricted-view information and the ticket conditions before paying. Availability and prices can change; the listed run dates do not guarantee seats for every performance.

Plan your theatre visit

Our venue guides cover getting there, seating and access information: New Theatre Oxford, Milton Keynes Theatre, Grand Opera House, York. If you need accessible seating or an assisted performance, check the arrangements for that venue and date with ATG before booking.

Tickets are sold by ATG Tickets, which handles checkout and booking support. British Theatre may earn a commission from the affiliate links on this page.