The Audience

The Audience at Gielgud Theatre

Why see The Audience?

Another Royal Outing for Writer Peter Morgan

For sixty years Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace - a meeting like no other in British public life ? it is private. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. Not even to their spouses.

The Audience breaks this contract of silence - and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister has used these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional - sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive. In turn, the Queen can't help but reveal her own self as she advises, consoles and, on occasion, teases.

From young mother to grandmother these private audiences chart the arc of the second Elizabethan Age. Politicians come and go through the revolving door of electoral politics, while she remains constant, waiting to welcome her next Prime Minister.

Key Information

Audience

The Audience is suitable for audiences aged 12 and upwards

Run Time

Two hours and 30 minutes with one interval

Dates

Finished 15 Jun 2013

Cast

Helen Mirren as The Queen
Haydn Gwynne as Margaret Thatcher
Edward Fox as Winston Churchill
Paul Ritter as John Major
Nathaniel Parker as Gordon Brown
Rufus Wright as David Cameron
Michael Elwyn as Anthony Eden
Richard McCabe as Harold Wilson
Geoffrey Beevers as Equerry
Bebe Cave, Maya Gerber, Nell Williams as Young Elizabeth

Creative

Written by Peter Morgan
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Designs by Bob Crowley

Awards

2013 Olivier Awards
BEST ACTRESS - Dame Helen Mirren
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY - Richard McCabe

Reviews

Customer reviews

15 reviews, average rating: (4.5 Stars)

Christina Hartley

An unusual and imaginative trip through history

A friend and I were delighted to obtain two 'restricted view' seats after the show was officially sold out. How lucky we were. The historical references, witty reposts, and the excellent characterisations were brilliant. The seats were fine as the dialogue was so interesting and the action was mostly centre stage. The 'Queen's' outfits reflected the age of the monarch and were of the period. Fantastic! Brilliant! as the audience standing ovation at the conclusion showed. Thank you everyone involved. ... Read more

Kay

Sublimely Good

Funny, intelegent, and absolutely captivating.....Helen, is amazingly good...would and will go and see it again ... Read more

Sue Davis

Difficult choice

Fabulous characterisation in an intelligent production. Acting is wonderful and the set is fantastic. We wouldn't like to be on the panel selecting best supporting actor/actress at next year's theatre awards: too much choice here. ... Read more
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