✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we send newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Support Us Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • Shopping
  • CW SHOPS
  • Support Us
  • Get Started
  • Tickets
  • CW SHOPS
Get the Best of London Life, Culture and Style
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
Theatre

The Audience, Apollo Theatre

05 May 15 – 25 Jul 15, 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed, Sat)

Acclaimed production from Peter Morgan, 'The Audience', returns to the London West End, with the hugely prolific actress Kristin Scott Thomas stepping into Helen Mirren's shoes as Queen Elizabeth I.

By CW Contributor on 3/11/2014

1 CW reader is interested
The Audience, Apollo Theatre
The Audience, Apollo Theatre
The Audience, Apollo Theatre The Audience, Apollo Theatre Caroline Halstead
Peter Morgan's concept for The Audience is to depict fictionalised accounts of the private meetings that took place the Queen and a number British Prime Ministers at various points during her reign as monarch.
Last time the play opened in March 2013, it was with Helen Mirren playing Queen Elizabeth I. And given that she was reviving a role she had already commanded on the big screen in ‘The Queen’, it was a reliable smash-hit. Now, as Mirren continues the play on Broadway, Kristin Scott Thomas steps into her shoes in the West End, whilst the real Elizabeth probably sits in Buckingham Palace feeling suitably flattered at her glamorous portrayals.
The other new feature of this revival is an updated text from Morgan, which may or may not include an encounter between the Queen and Tony Blair. Two years ago his script was criticised for having the character of a sketch revue, bouncing backwards and forwards in time to show fictionalised versions of the private meetings between our monarch and various prime ministers. Whilst allowing the writer to make witty satirical jibes at historical figures and situations, it is the representation of the private lives of royalty which conjures lasting fascination from audiences. This modern history play finds its heart in exchanges between the queen’s older and younger selves, a trick that Mirren carried off beautifully; her replacement might be just as famous, but has a hard act to follow.
Scott Thomas is currently playing Electra at the Old Vic to great acclaim, and her appearances on London stages over the past few years have gained similar praise. She has a remarkable ability to choose parts that will both stretch her, and also showcase her trademark sphinx-like presence. It is well-known that she lives a life out of the spotlight in France, and on film her parts have often had a distinctly non-British sophistication; it’ll be interesting to see what she brings to this most British of roles. If you were a fan of ‘The Queen’ or ‘The King’s Speech’, then this is a rare opportunity to catch the same theme played out by a starry cast through live theatre; don’t miss out!


click for more theatre
recommendations

What The Audience, Apollo Theatre
Where Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES | MAP
Nearest tube Piccadilly Circus (underground)
When 05 May 15 – 25 Jul 15, 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed, Sat)
Price £26.50-£108
Website Click here to book tickets



Most popular

Things to do in London this weekend: 13 - 15 May. Photo: Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliche, showing as part of Village Screen Film Fest
Things to do in London this weekend: 13 - 15 May
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London (Photograph: Peter Lewicki)
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2022
The best new restaurants opening in May. Photo: Cavita
Best restaurant openings: London, May 2022

A little more

  • click for more theatre
    recommendations

  • What the critics say

    OBSERVER

    '"The Audience' deals in that mixture of real-life personnel and speculation with which Morgan has had such success, on the stage, movies and television, in 'The Queen', 'Frost/Nixon' and 'The Deal'... Morgan squeezes into his brief, non-chronological scenes each prime minister's most famous traits. A top-flight cast impersonate meticulously.' 

    Susannah Clapp

Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).

We recommend nearby

  • Xu

    Xu has it all. It looks good enough to eat, the menu is thrilling and they're to be applauded for bringing proper Taiwanese dining to London. The service is beautifully judged and well informed. The only challenge may be getting a reservation, as almost all the critics love it.

    Read more...
    Book Map
  • Heritage restaurant
    Read more...
    Map
  • Bocca di Lupo

    We love Bocca di Lupo, on nearby Archer Street, offering exquisite, artisanal Italian regional delicacies. And later, to sate that sweet tooth, there's Gelupo opposite, offering what's reputed to be some of London's most tongue-tingling gelato.

    Read more...

    Discover new and exciting restaurants like Bocca di Lupo with Culture Whisper’s guide to things to do in London

    Book Map
1

You might like

  • The Vote, Donmar Warehouse

    The Vote, Donmar Warehouse

  • Simon Russell Beale: Donmar Warehouse, Temple

    Temple, Donmar Warehouse

  • Penelope Wilton and John Light in Taken at Midnight

    Taken at Midnight

  • The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios

    The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios



  • The Culture Whisper team
  • Support Us
  • Tickets
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs
Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
×