The Audience

[BorisIgor]

Just saw it last night. Helen Mirren is truly a Queen! Loved it!

[ClapYo'Hands]

I bet there were enough queens in the audience.

[dgjbear]

Awwwe, was hoping for a bit more info!

[Christopher Gough]

I saw the matinee on 2 March. Let me start by saying that the audience for 'The Audience' loved it. Stalls standing ovation.

It didn't quite do it for me. I realise that this is a fictional imagining of what the discussions between HM Queen and her prime ministers were about, but I found the obvious comedy somehow intrusive. I'm sure that the actual discussions contained their lighter moments, but the play only 'came to life' for me during the overtly political discussions.

I don't know if there have been re-writes or Edward Fox was stumbling over his lines as Churchill (he has replaced Robert Hardy at short notice) but Helen Mirren seemed to fluff quite a few times - she may have had to ad lib - not sure.

Design, costumes, make up all excellent. The play does not unfold chronologically, so there are myriad fast and slick costume and wig changes for Helen Mirren. One minute a 25 year old Queen with a waspish waist to an 86 year old Monarch with a more mature frame.

The seemingly overfamiliar comments made by the Queen and some of her prime ministers provided most of the laughs. I found that this got in the way of enjoying what could have been, for me a great play; but it is merely a mediocre one.

[dgjbear]

Went to see this on Saturday. I can appreciate what is said above, but it would have made a dreary couple of hours if it was just politics. I found it very funny and some parts were incredibly moving. And who know Harold Wilson would steal the show. Brilliant.