A prestigious co-production between Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, starring Jason Donovan (Festen, Sweeny Todd) as Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue and Raymond Coulthard (Mr Selfridge, Hotel Babylon) as King George VI. Read more …
It’s 1936. As the world stands on the brink of war, King Edward VIII has abdicated for the love of Wallis Simpson. Bertie, his brother who has previously shied away from the public eye because of a terrible stammer, is to be crowned King George VI of England. With the support of his wife Elizabeth (the future much-loved Queen Mother), Bertie meets Maverick Australian speech therapist and failed actor, Lionel Logue, at an office in Harley Street.
The King’s Speech is the true and heart-warming story of one man's struggle to overcome his disability and, in his country's darkest hour, deliver the now iconic speech broadcast across the globe to inspire his people.
One wonders if the play mightn't have worked even more effectively as a genuine two-hander, especially when the hands in question are as impressive and secure as Donovan's and Coulthard's.
Perfectly pitched and played, this is as impeccable a piece of theatre as you are likely to find on any stage around the UK at the moment – pure class.
A safe and solid show.
There is a wonderfully heightened quality to Silbert's production that points to the fragile pretences of both men as failed performers who find a mutual strength beyond what both believe they're capable of.
This isn’t a fast-paced production by any means – there are no big action scenes or show-stopping moments, but the final few minutes are lovely and overall The King’s Speech is a nice piece of theatre, entertaining and educating the audience about a tense time in British history.
If the play presents a romantic view of a key moment in British history, though, it does it with plenty of irreverent wit, sharp observation and well-founded historical research; and Roxana Silbert’s graceful, beautifully choreographed touring production highlights all of these brisk, satirical qualities in the play.
he King’s Speech has all the great chemistry and astute writing great theatre should have. There is no finer way to hear The King’s Speech than within his very own King’s Theatre.
Two excellent central performances dominate The King’s Speech. The rest of the production, while always involving, does not quite hit the same heights.
Jason Donovan on his role in the King's Speech
Roxana Silberet--The King's Speech
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Monday March 16, 2015, until Saturday March 21, 2015. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Monday May 18, 2015, until Saturday May 23, 2015. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings
RSS feed of Theatre reviews