Helen Mirren plays the Queen…again. This play was offered as part of the Fathom Event series at our local Regal Theatre. On Tuesdays at 6:30 P.M. the Queen meets with the current Prime Minister to discuss the current political situation for 20 minutes. The Audience captures these meetings with the 12 Prime Ministers over the years. The play is not chronological so watching Helen Mirren transform from the Queen in her 80s to the young Queen in her 40s–and back again–is incredible! The meetings sometime take on the flavor of therapy sessions as the Prime Ministers and the Queen have to deal with crises. The meeting with Margaret Thatcher and the Queen is particularly prickly. I liked the interaction between the Queen and Harold Wilson the best. I’m sure tickets to The Audience go for $100 or more on Broadway. But a ticket to this version of The Audience only cost $20. A bargain! I recommend these Fathom Events. GRADE: A
George, I haven’t seen THE QUEEN yet but I recently saw Helen Mirren play Queen Charlotte in THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, 1994, opposite the late Nigel Hawthorne. In fact, I haven’t seen most of Mirren’s films.
Prashant, I envy you! I suggest you check out Helen Mirren in the PRIME SUSPECT series. The early episodes in the series are terrific!
Was there anyone but my media heartthrob Amanda Donohoe in MADNESS? Memory fades. (Half-joking.)
Todd, I liked Rupert Everett as the Prince of Wales.
I wonder if I missed it. Have to check.
Patti, most of these Fatham Events eventually end up on DVD and Blu-ray. My public library has them all. Most of these “events” are operas.
That is a bargain indeed. It is probably well over $100 now on Broadway. I can only imagine the tensions of the Queen & Thatcher.
Jeff, THE AUDIENCE shows the Prime Ministers with all there warts. Thatcher doesn’t come off very well in the Queen’s presence.
I was going to say that most of these events are operas. It’s great for people who like that sort of thing and don’t live near a venue.
Jeff, Ann Patchett in her THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE includes a chapter of how she goes to those Fathom Events (mostly operas) and she’s developed friendships with the people who sit around her in the theater.
I read that too. I’m not an opera fan, never have been, but agree it is a Good Thing.
Jeff, Diane and I have attended a couple of these Fathom Events, but THE AUDIENCE was the best yet!