The Audience - Stephen Daldry to direct Kristin Scott Thomas
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
STEPHEN Daldry will direct Kristin Scott Thomas (as the Queen) in a new version of Peter Morgan’s The Audience, which runs at the Apollo Theatre from May 5 (previews from April 21) to July 25, 2015.
For sixty years, Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said, not even to their spouses. The Audience imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen.
From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister uses these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional – sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive. In turn, the Queen can’t help but reveal her own self as she advises, consoles and, on occasion, teases.
These private audiences chart the arc of the second Elizabethan Age, from the beginning of Elizabeth II’s reign to today. Politicians come and go through the revolving door of electoral politics, while she remains constant, waiting to welcome her next Prime Minister.
Multi award-wining theatre and film actor Kristin Scott Thomas has recently opened to great critical acclaim in the title role in Sophocles’ Electra at the Old Vic. Previously she has been seen in the West End in Ian Rickson’s productions of The Seagull, Betrayal and Old Times, as well as Jonathan Kent’s production of As You Desire Me and Michael Blakemore’s production of Three Sisters, both for the Playhouse Theatre in London.
Her extensive film credits include Sous Ton Emprise, Une Femme Parfaite, Nowhere Boy, Only God Forgives, Bel Ami, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Easy Virtue, The Other Boleyn Girl, Gosford Park, The Horse Whisperer, The English Patient, Mission Impossible, Angels & Insects and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Peter Morgan is an international award-winning writer for stage, screen and film. As well as receiving Oscar and BAFTA nominations for his screenplay for Stephen Frears’ The Queen starring Helen Mirren, Morgan won a host of international awards including Golden Globe, British Independent Film and Evening Standard British Film Awards. The award-winning Frost/Nixon received critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic before being adapted into an Academy Award®-nominated film of the same name. It garnered five Oscar nominations, including Best Screenplay.
His many other film credits include the award-winning The Last King of Scotland, The Damned United and Rush; and his extensive television credits include the critically acclaimed The Deal, the first part of his Tony Blair Trilogy (BAFTA Award for Best Drama), The Special Relationship and Longford.
Stephen Daldry most recently directed the sell-out West End production of David Hare’s Skylight at the Wyndham’s Theatre. In 2013, he directed the world premiere of Peter Morgan’s The Audience with Helen Mirren. His production of Billy Elliot the Musical is currently playing in London and on tour across the US having previously played on Broadway, in Sydney, Melbourne, Chicago and Toronto.
His four films – Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – together received 19 Academy Award® nominations and two wins. His latest film, Trash, premiered at the Rio Film Festival earlier this month. Daldry was Creative Executive Producer of Ceremonies for the London Olympic Games.
The Audience received its world premiere in February 2013 at the Gielgud Theatre with Helen Mirren leading the cast. Mirren will re-create the role on Broadway in February 2015.
The new London production will be designed by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Rick Fisher, sound by Paul Arditti and music by Paul Englishby. Further casting has still to be announced.
Tickets: from £22.50. A limited number of Day Seats at £20 each will go on sale from the Box Office, in person only, from 10am on the day of performance. All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy. Booking has now opened and tickets are available from the box office on 0844 482 9671 or online at www.theaudienceplay.com/
Times: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Urinetown The Musical is currently booking at the Apollo Theatre until January 24, 2015.