The Audience

If you are a Royalist, or not, you cannot fail to see the beauty of this play written by Peter Morgan. With four representations of the Queen over her life, the play tells the story of the Queen’s relationship with her Prime Ministers; from Winston Churchill through to David Cameron.

The set was simple but regal looking. There was a black curtain backdrop, a marble fireplace and a bureau with family photos of the Royal family. Centre stage, placed on a rug, there were two chairs where the Queen meets her Prime Ministers every week.

This play was compelling, informative, and very enjoyable. There were poignant moments and comedic moments too. There was an insight into The Queen’s life, sense of humour and dedication to duty.

Director Luke Coldham should be proud of his achievement as should the entire company.

The introduction and narration of the play was conducted by Trevor Povey as the Queen’s equerry. I enjoyed the excellent use of music and lighting throughout the play and Trevor found his light with skill when he walked onto the stage. The equerry was a constant as the Queen aged, and he explained the scenes and traditions with aplomb. Trevor’s costume was good, and in keeping with what one would expect; he walked with a slow dignity and held his reverence throughout the piece.

The Queen was represented as a child by 10-year-old Summer Leslie. A wonderful performance by such a young actor. Joined by her governess, Bobo Macdonald, played by Pauline Neal. (A firm but loving Scottish lady) There were some beautiful scenes, when the younger Elizabeth talked to her older self and we began to understand the complexities of the Queen’s life and motivations. Summer delivered the speech made by the young Elizabeth in 1947 from South Africa when she dedicated her life in service to the British people and replicated the speech wonderfully with a clear strong voice and excellent intonation. The young Queen, was played by Louise Alsop. Her look was elegant and very reminiscent of our Queen at the beginning of her reign. Again, costume was brilliant, her wig and demeanour very believable. You could hear the 1950s accent that has faded over the years but definitely one we all remember from old newscasts.

The mid-years queen, 1968-1995 was accurately portrayed by Victoria Grayling. There was a warmth to Victoria’s performance that endeared her to the audience and she approached her duties with good faith and good humour; a Queen that had learned a lot about how to deal with the political leaders and how to gently manipulate them. I particularly enjoyed her wry smile and the development of her relationship with the Prime Ministers and particularly her interaction with Harold Wilson.

There were several costume changes all of which were convincing and seemingly accurate. Even an informal Queen, in Balmoral, with head-scarf, tartan skirt and walking boots was precisely portrayed.

The older Queen was played confidently by Jill Snelling, a greying older lady but with all the same humour and dedication. At the end of the first act all four Queens were on stage together. It was a fabulous moment, when the solemnity of the Coronation, and the significance of God’s consecration, was contrasted to the ‘real’ life of Elizabeth; with the addition of the music from the 1953 Coronation, and some excellent lighting, this scene definitely brought a lump to the throat.

The Prime Minsters we met in this play were all played well with each having something recognisable about them. There was not a chronological progression and this made the story more palatable, enabling the audience to see a development in The Queen’s character and also witness the worries and issues faced by our premier politicians that were often similar to each other over the years. There were many references to global incidents and nuances to the relationship between state and government that are as relevant now as they have been throughout the last 70 years of The Queen’s reign.

John Major, was played by Wayne Prince. Wayne is an accomplished character actor and was instantly recognisable as John Major by his voice and demeanour. Costume was good and the personality of John Major was amusingly dull and subservient. The Queen did her best to put him at his ease despite him crying about his inadequacies.

In stark contrast to the ease at which our Queen dealt with John Major the interaction with Winston Churchill consisted of him telling her what to say and how to act. Churchill was played by the experienced and skilled Vic Gray. With a strong stage presence, Vic embodied Churchill’s confident and bombastic mannerisms with ease.

David Carey was Harold Wilson. Harold Wilson is such a recognisable character with a distinctive voice and a ‘scruffy’ manner and David did this justice. One would think that the northern working-class Wilson might not get along with the ‘landed gentry’ but this was not the case, and a mutually affectionate relationship seemed to develop. There were some very amusing moments, the ‘sitting ritual’ was very funny as Wilson tried to make sure he allowed The Queen to sit first. I also noticed how hot tea was served in the tea pot during this scene which was a really good detail. The tea service wasn’t quite what I expected the Queen to have had in the 60s or 70s but then I have never been to Buckingham palace! Wilson’s awkward use of the sugar tongs and his eventual handful of sugar in his tea was also hilarious as was his references to the German ancestry of the Royal Family. (Previously alluded to by Churchill)

Gordon Brown was expertly played Ian Benson with an excellent Scottish drawl and an effective use of mannerisms including the way Brown holds his mouth for an inward breath. There were direct connections between the frustrations of Brown being thrust into leadership when he hadn’t planned to have such a role, and those of the Queen who had no escape from her responsibility. In contrast to Brown, Tony Blair was played by Josh Handley, it was a quite a small part but he was as smarmy and confident as you would expect from Blair. Josh also played the detective when Harold Wilson became obsessed with the fact that there might be spy equipment at the palace. (A symptom of Harold Wilson’s Alzheimer diagnosis) Josh is another excellent actor and there were clear differences in his characterisation for each role, well done.

Anthony Eden was portrayed by another gifted actor, Michael McFarlane. This prime minister is one from the Queen’s early reign and he brought the Queen news of the Suez crisis. This interaction showed how early on the Queen had an understanding of current affairs, not only in the UK but globally, and she makes it her business to understand the political nuances in every situation. Michael played a sickly Premier desperately trying to wield British empirical weight in the middle east but ultimately causing a decline in the power of Britain on the world stage.

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, was played by Anna Catchpole, quite a young actor playing a character who is the same age as the Queen. Anna definitely had the voice and stature of Thatcher and did a fabulous job of trying to put the Queen in her place about an apparent ‘leak’ to the press. This was certainly a battle of wills, one in which Thatcher lost her temper and the Queen kept her dignity.

Colin Gibbins plays David Cameron. At the time the play was written, David Cameron was the most recent Prime Minister. He doesn’t have the same recognisable personality traits as the other prime ministers, so there is not a lot for Colin to grab onto, but he does enable the Queen to reflect on the ministers before him. Colin plays a career politician trying to walk a tight rope, just as the ministers have before him. This polished portrayal, with the same personal inadequacies as the others, is contrasted against the mutual understanding and affection that Queen Elizabeth II had with Harold Wilson, and perhaps Labour politics.

Overall, ‘The Audience’ is a well written play which was brilliantly brought to life by Thurrock Courts Players. With excellent set, music, lighting and costume, it concludes that Queen Elizabeth has been a constant and dedicated monarch who has served her people since she knew she would succeed her father, and whether you support the monarchy or not you can appreciate her service. Thank you for a very enjoyable and thought-provoking evening.

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