BETH STEEL'S Wonderland, the second of Hampstead Theatre’s trio of free online productions, was originally performed in 2014.

Even then, its hard-hitting political message — presented through a mixture of song and documentary commentary — must have reminded those with long memories of John McGrath’s innovatory 7:84 touring company of the 1980s.

Dealing with Thatcher’s carefully pre-planned and ruthless 1984-85 war against the miners, Edward Hall’s production takes us down the pit, where we meet the Iron Lady’s “enemy within” — the men who worked in an environment and under conditions that for most people would be viewed as a daily hell.

Raucous good humour and essential camaraderie, along with lessons in vital life-dependant skills, are punctuated by jousting sexual wit and bonding work songs.

The second half centres on the machinations of the Tory government to orchestrate a victory at any cost to the country, the industry and particularly the miners and their communities.

The differences between Peter Walker, Thatcher’s “wet” Energy Minister, uneasily concerned at the level of police force used against pickets and Ian MacGregor —  the American-bulldog businessman she put in to run the National Coal Board and run down the industry with mass closures of the pits — are leavened with the miners’ determination to resist the physical violence and the subtle attrition of overwhelming state power.

The political history lesson, coupled with the echoing dialogue, is perhaps more difficult to follow on video than on stage.

But the play revives memories for older viewers and hopefully will inform younger generations of critical battles that have to be fought repeatedly in our exploitative world.

Online until April 12, hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/hampstead-theatre-at-home/wonderland