The delightful Richard McCabe
Tonight Chic Eleanor and I went out for supper followed by a re run of the NT ‘s The Audience. I saw it thirteen years ago but was more than happy to revisit it…..and I didn’t regret it .
This is my 2013 review lol
“Finally we got to see the NT production of The Audience
It was the cinematic re run in a small Art Deco refurbished cinema in Colwyn Bay...and I must admit, I loved the much lauded production featuring Dame Helen Mirren .
Once you get passed a slight left wing bias from playwright Peter Morgan, The Audience is a wry and witty "look" at the Queen's weekly "audiences" with a selection of her Prime Ministers over a 60 year period.
As you may expect from the writer of The Queen, Helen Mirren's monarch is a sympathetic, multilayered and gloriously difficult character, who is always a match for her PMs who all come to her with a host of circular and recurrent problems of self doubt, failure and political shenanigans.
The Ministers with the possible exception of a " Royal acting" Thatcher ( a wonderful Hayden Gwynne) are given an interesting and original slant . Gordon Brown ( Nathaniel Parker) is vulnerable and obviously depressed. John Major ( Paul Ritter) tearful and out of his depth and Harold Wilson ( Richard McCabe) is more Huddersfield than "ecky thump" it is his Northern Straight talking chauvinistic character that gives the play its heart, as we find out in the last few moments that out of her leaders, it is his old fashioned chutzpah that the Queen favours most above all of the others.
I enjoyed the play. Mirren's Queen is just how most of us would like to envisage her. Dedicated, steely, naturally funny and able to kick ass when the need arises.
8/10”
“Finally we got to see the NT production of The Audience
It was the cinematic re run in a small Art Deco refurbished cinema in Colwyn Bay...and I must admit, I loved the much lauded production featuring Dame Helen Mirren .
Once you get passed a slight left wing bias from playwright Peter Morgan, The Audience is a wry and witty "look" at the Queen's weekly "audiences" with a selection of her Prime Ministers over a 60 year period.
As you may expect from the writer of The Queen, Helen Mirren's monarch is a sympathetic, multilayered and gloriously difficult character, who is always a match for her PMs who all come to her with a host of circular and recurrent problems of self doubt, failure and political shenanigans.
The Ministers with the possible exception of a " Royal acting" Thatcher ( a wonderful Hayden Gwynne) are given an interesting and original slant . Gordon Brown ( Nathaniel Parker) is vulnerable and obviously depressed. John Major ( Paul Ritter) tearful and out of his depth and Harold Wilson ( Richard McCabe) is more Huddersfield than "ecky thump" it is his Northern Straight talking chauvinistic character that gives the play its heart, as we find out in the last few moments that out of her leaders, it is his old fashioned chutzpah that the Queen favours most above all of the others.
I enjoyed the play. Mirren's Queen is just how most of us would like to envisage her. Dedicated, steely, naturally funny and able to kick ass when the need arises.
8/10”
What a treat for you to revisit this show and for you and Chic Eleanor to have supper together as well as the show thereafter! Lots of laughs, I hope!
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams tonight.
Hugs!
Why can’t I meet a chic Eleanor ?
ReplyDeleteLee
Good luck with the MOT, always terrifying. I'd have loved to have caught this, what a standout out cast.
ReplyDeleteChic Eleanor is lifting your cultural horizons. Without her, you'd be supping pints at the workingmen's club, watching strippers and banging the table.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the pleasure of seeing this play, but I did see the film "The Queen" written by the same playwright and also starring Mirren in that role. It was the first role I ever saw Michael Sheen in too, and he was outstanding, of course, as Tony Blair.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between King/Queen and our PM's, is something that has always fascinated me. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your 2013 review and would like to see that play, I love Helen Mirren and Nathaniel Parker. Your Queen worked with so many Prime Ministers. Have you read the mystery series by SJ Bennett? I recommend it. Queen Elizabeth solves palace mysteries.
ReplyDeleteYour summing up of how we assume the Queen was, was spot on. I bet she had a wicked sense of humour, and enjoyed making her least favourite PM's squirm!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the MOT. xx
We had booked to see it at our local cinema this Sunday but they cancelled it. I think we were the only ones interested.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! There must have been time for a real relationship of sorts to build up between the monarch and her Prime Ministers.
ReplyDeleteI don't think history is going to be kind to her...Bel Ami
ReplyDeleteI hope the car passes without needing anything major, my little car only needed the headlight aim adjusted, it is 18 years old, old enough to vote.
ReplyDeleteMy car is a 2007 and I am hoping it lasts as long as I do.
ReplyDeleteI'm also reading that series that Terra mentions about the Queen investigating mysteries and enjoying it very much. Her personality shines through.
I agree with you on Helen Mirren playing the Queen... Hugs! deb
ReplyDelete