THE KINGS SPEECH

This was my first visit to the Theatre in the Hut, and I hope it will not be the last! 

What a wonderful theatre with great atmosphere and I should like to thank you for the warm welcome shown to us.

The Kings Speech was a great and opportune choice to coincide, not only with your anniversary but also the sad death of our Queen and the accession of our new King.

The set was superb with the centre stage throne setting the scene and creating the atmosphere. The doors, furniture, and paintings appropriate for a royal residence, that were transformed (fairly frequently) to the much more ordinary and simple Logue home with the flick of a tablecloth and the reversing of doors and paintings. A few extra touches and it became a government office or Westminster Abbey. A clever use of a small stage.        

This play can be difficult to perform, along with others   featuring real characters, whose physical features are so well known to the audience. The skill lies in interpretation, convincing those watching that you are that person, and a strong and talented cast is needed. The Wayfarers had such a cast.

King George VI /Bertie was played to the utmost perfection with a realistic stammer, not overdone, and a subtle mix of a repressed human being, at the same time being very conscious of his royal status. His outbursts of anger and his frustration were controlled and effective 

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon/Queen Elizabeth not only looked the part but sounded the part with the aristocratic clipped accent so reminiscent of the period.

Lionel Logue came over well with a calmness and sense of, do it my way or not at all, good stuff! His own vulnerability, as an underrated “colonial “and his failed attempts to succeed as a professional actor were well portrayed, not to mention his respect/fear of his wife Myrtle who was the (mostly)understanding and patient wife!

Winston Churchill gave a great performance, with the walk stance and voice! Such a legendary character can only be played as an impersonation, and this was a good one.

Archbishop Dr Cosmo Lang came across as he reputedly was, a man full of his own importance and with very little empathy. A good portrayal.  

Stanley Baldwin did a great job (a little more leeway here as not such a recognisable character)

 David/ Edward VIII, who bore a striking resemblance to the original, was believable and really showed the agony of having to choose between duty or happiness!

King George V looked the part with great make up, the only slight flaw being his hat that was too small, but this was worn in only one of his scenes, so did not take it away from his character.

Wallis Simpson had a great accent and was dressed well for the role!

BBC Newsreader captured that special accent that is so associated with the wartime broadcasts by the BBC. 

This was, I believe, the first direction by Andrew Bales (also doubling up as the Newsreader). I hope it will be the first of many. His team were first rate, sound and lighting, costumes, front of house etc, all adding to a seamless performance.

This was a fine production with great actors and most importantly an appreciative audience. Weston -Super -Mare are extremely fortunate to have had this Society in being for 70 years. Congratulations on this notable anniversary.

 

Graham Liverton Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

 

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