King Charles III
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Cititour.com Review
Even if you’re not one of the rare Americans fascinated with Britain’s Royal Family, Mike Bartlett’s “King Charles III, now at the Music Box Theatre, is likely to have you riveted for 2 ½ hours. Cleverly subtitled a “future history play” (in a nod to Shakespeare – though no one dies), Bartlett’s fantasia is not just an incisive look at what might happen if the Prince of Wales were to ascend to England’s throne in the next few years, but a remarkably incisive look at both the politics of this ever-confusing “constitutional monarchy” and the dynamics of any complex family, complete with its own set of father-son conflicts, sibling rivalries, and unhappy circumstances.
Simply but majestically staged by Rupert Goold on Tom Scott’s vast, castle-like set, the piece begins with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth (Prince Philip having, we learn, pre-deceased her), and the ascension of power to Charles (the extraordinary Tim Pigott-Smith, who both grows in stature and practically shrinks as the events transpire). While there’s three months left until his actual coronation, Charles is the new monarch – as his loving, insipid wife Camilla (a pitch-perfect Margot Leicester reminds him) continually reminds him.
While no expects Charles to do much of anything – as his been his wont for decades – he surprises everyone when he declines to sign an already-passed Parliamentary bill that restricts freedom of the press. It’s not just a boldly unexpected move – especially as his mother never used her own “veto” power – but it incenses both the country’s liberal Prime Minister, Mr. Evans (the charismatic Adam James), and its opposition leader, Mr. Stevens (an oily Anthony Calf), who seems to vacillate between being Charles’ ally and enemy. When Charles’ refuses to back down, the country is almost literally turned upside down and inside out/
Things aren’t much smoother on the family front. Prince Harry (the excellent Richard Goulding, who looks exactly like the real Harry) has fallen for not just a commoner, but a radical art student named Jess (the superb Tafline Steen), who wants her new beau to give up his title and live a normal life. His older brother William (the equally great Oliver Chris) is outwardly calm – though haunted by the ghost of his late mother Diana (Sally Scott) – and his wife Kate (a thoroughly convincing Lydia Wilson) quickly proves not just to William but to everyone that she’s more than a pretty dress and a winning smile. In fact, it is Kate, posits Bartlett, who is the true successor to Elizabeth, not any of her actual heirs.
With its superb acting, accessible yet elegant language, and thought-provoking plot twists, “King Charles III” proves to not only be a royal treat, but one of Broadway’s finest offerings this year.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://www.kingcharlesiiibroadway.com
Cast
Tim Pigott Smith, Sally Scott, Oliver Chris, Richard Goulding, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Miles Richardson, Tom Robertson, Tafline Steen, Lydia Wilson
Open/Close Dates
Opening 11/1/2015
Closing 1/31/2016
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 10/10/2015
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212-239-6200
Theatre Info
Music Box Theatre
239 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
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