It is the week before Christmas and the new Tory government is facing dissent over its latest bill. With a majority of only three, the Whips are out in full force and will stop at nothing to keep the waverers in line.

That’s the set-up of Richmond Shakespeare Society’s latest production, Whipping it Up, which opens at the Mary Wallace Theatre on Friday.

Set in a whip’s office, the play takes a light-hearted look at Westminister machinations and includes a brief cameo by Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham Vince Cable.

Director John Crook says: “There is a part in the play where the Whips switch on a monitor to hear what’s going on in the House of Commons. Since it is being played in the heart of the constituency, we thought it would be a nice touch if Vince appeared.”

The Twickenham MP’s appearance is the briefest of cameos, with the whips having far more serious issues to contend with than Vince Cable’s 15 seconds of fame. Political crises are springing up all over the place. Five Tory MPs are on the loose, Scouts are rioting outside Whitehall in protest against the government’s proposed tent pole tax, while the Chief Whip is busy playing Santa. Worst of all, the Prime Minister is nursing a sore toe after the US President ran over his foot in a golf buggy.

Yet, Whipping It Up is more than than mere political farce. Crook explains: “It touches on a lot of issues brought out by the characters, from the idealistic Tory MP Francis to Maggie, the research assistant.”

The Tory Chief Whip is played by former Labour councillor Peter Anderson, an irony that will surely not be lost on its author, Steve Thompson.

Whipping It Up is Thompson’s second big hit after Damages and has already run in the West End to rave reviews.

Whipping it Up, Mary Wallace Theatre, Twickenham Embankment, Church Road, until January 31, call 020 8744 0547 or visit richmondshakespeare.org.uk to book and for more information.