IT sounds like the most unlikely concept for a play - a behind the scenes look at the machinations that went on in Parliament between 1974 to 1979.

But This House, which is heading to the Lowry as part of its first UK tour, has rightly been acclaimed as a classic.

“It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” said Jeremy Herrin, who directed the original production at the National Theatre in 2012 and is now taking the show on tour.

“It is a play about what happened between 1974 and 79 and how a government can survive. But it isn’t a play about ideology. It’s about dignity, honour, our systems and our country and all its contradictions. Some of those are worrying, some amusing, some inspiring but at its heart it’s a human drama.”

In February 1974 the General Election resulted in a hung Parliament with Labour’s Harold Wilson becoming Prime Minister but finding himself 17 seats sort of an overall majority. A second election in October would give Labour that majority, by just three votes.

This House concentrates on the whips offices in both the Labour and Conservative parties - and all the behind the scenes drama that went on.

The play’s author James Graham said: “In 2010 we had our first hung Parliament since 1974 and it just seemed to make sense to me to go back to that time.

“In writing other plays, I kept hearing snippets of stories about this particular Parliament which I didn’t live through as being the most dramatic, the most insane and the most farcical.

“There were stories of people dying, of votes on a knife-edge, of overnight sittings and fights in bars and even, on one occasion, on floor of house itself. I knew there had to be a story to be told, I was just surprised that no-one had done it before.”

Both James and Jeremy are quick to encourage theatregoers not to be put off by what may appear to be a complicated subject matter.

“Yes, it’s a play about politics,,” said Jeremy, “but there are also two David Bowie songs in it, lots of ludicrous jokes, a live band and a bit of insight into our whole political system.”

The action divides itself between the opposing whips offices and the House of Commons. In total the large cast plays 66 characters as the drama unfolds with the audience at the very heart of it.

A number of seats have been created on the stage itself with audience members becoming MPs for the night and being encouraged to become involved in the debates and voting

The characters are all based on the real MPs who were in Parliament at the time and this, Jeremy believes, adds an extra dimension to the show as it tours the country.

“When we first did the show we were delighted to do a show at the National Theatre but the fantasy version was to do a regional tour.

“We never thought about going into the West End, which we eventually did, but the aim was always to try and get it out on tour.

“We just thought it would be brilliant for audiences to hear the names of their own constituencies being called in the debates in the House.”

James added: “Politically this play has never felt more relevant. In 2012 there was a hung Parliament but it was embarrassingly undramatic.

“Now we have a hung Parliament with a Government having to deal with the aftermath of Brexit.”

This House, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Tuesday, April 24 to Saturday, April 28. Details from 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com