Get in quick if you want to see this –which you most definitely
should –your last chance is the NTLive cinema screening on the 13th
July. Tickets for NTLive normally sell out pretty quickly when productions have
had as good reviews as this –it also helps that Dame Helen Mirren is playing
the Queen.
***
We bought tickets for my mum to see this for her birthday
and as I took her with me to see Othello recently she asked me to accompany
her. I was a bit apprehensive, my political knowledge is pretty basic and I
certainly couldn’t name the “dirty dozen” prime ministers since 1953. But, I
thought, I could at least learn a few names even if the political jokes went
straight over my head. I was also worried (having not seen The Queen) that
Helen Mirren had been cast as a publicity stunt – as unfortunately is so often
the case, however these fears were all for nothing.
Peter Morgan has succeeded in writing a script that is understandable and funny yet intelligent. Helen Mirren played a very believable queen and the attention to mannerisms by the prime ministers was outstanding. Goodness knows how many youtube videos they watched in order to imitate even the way they walk. Gordon Brown in particular was so realistic for I moment I considered that he’d lost weight and taken up acting. But I soon decided the actor didn’t look anywhere near miserable enough -not a criticism of Nathaniel Parker he did the best any normal human being could.
One of the aspects I liked about Morgan’s script was the
inclusion of the young Elizabeth. It was lovely to see the older conversing with
and teaching the younger. This highlighted how isolated the Queen’s role really
is and made her a far more “real” and sympathetic character. Bebe Cave managed
a suitable “Queen’s English” accent that had my mum and I clenching our teeth together
the whole way home, attempting to emulate her immaculate pronunciation.
Stephen Daldry also did a fantastic job as director. Scene
changes were smooth and barely noticeable, as they used footman to alter
the props, and maids to change the Queen’s outfit and wig on stage. It was
expertly and perfectly done. I almost pity the cast as such a performance can
only result from months of an OCD perfectionist shouting “and again!” repeatedly.
The finished performance is clean cut and professional –entirely apt.
The only thing that disappointed me was the play’s very safe
political stance. In presenting the Queen and monarchy sympathetically it shows
its traditional values. Yet certain speeches clearly hailed those of more
left-wing principles, with Harold from Huddersfield leaving the audience under
the impression the Queen is secretly a labour lady. Yet other than Tony Blair (who
is only referred to in derogatory tones) the other prime ministers plead for
your sympathy and respect. Even Margaret Thatcher is given a neutral stance as
she presented angry and bull-like but later righteous and vulnerable.
The jokes were undoubtedly funny and I thoroughly enjoyed
the performance but I thought Morgan could have been just that little bit more risqué.
The Audience was a fantastic and believable piece of imagination that just wanted
a sharper political edge. However, Morgan’s forgiven for the lack of a strong political
stance, after all even Shakespeare knew a play needs to sell tickets.
(photo credits: TheatreExplorer.com and The Guardian)
COMMENT ON ALL THE POSTS. Just throwing it out there. Tony Blair should only ever be referred to in a derogatory way.
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