The year is 1786. George III is King. He has a loving wife, a nation of subjects, a loyal parliament, and the world kneels at his feet.... Read more …
But he's a little odd.
The king's behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic, and word has it he's addressed an oak tree as the King of Prussia! Doctors are called in, parliament falters, and the Prince Regent manoeuvres himself into power.
From the hand of national treasure Alan Bennett (The History Boys, Talking Heads), The Madness of George III is a brilliant exploration of duty and kingship, an epic play about the ties that bind us together as family, as a society and as a nation. Gripping drama, dangerous politics and irreverent comedy collide in a rollercoaster ride where the health of the nation is at the mercy of the mental health of one man.
Starring Simon Ward (Zulu Dawn, Young Churchill, All Creatures Great And Small) and Susan Penhaligon (The Land That Time Forgot, No Sex Please We're British, Bouquet of Barbed Wire), this is the first touring production of the play since the original award-winning production by the National Theatre in 1991 and the subsequent hit 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne.
None of this, though, amounts to a theme strong enough to drive the drama through two-and-three-quarter hours of action; and in Alastair Whatley's ponderous production, the play seems even longer than that.
There is no strong directorial vision, no clear characterisation, only an ill-judged pantomime look to the piece.
The production’s own demonstrative out-front playing style is so at odds with the play one wonders if it aspires to be avant-garde. If this is the case, it fails.
Perth Theatre, Perth from Tuesday September 28, 2010, until Saturday October 9, 2010. More info: www.horsecross.co.uk
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy from Tuesday October 26, 2010, until Wednesday October 27, 2010. More info: www.attfife.org.uk
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