King Charles III

It’s not often that I leave a theatre thinking that I have seen a new play that will become a classic but this extraordinary play might just be that, a future classic. Brilliantly structured with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, the drama throws the whole constitution of the British Monarchy up in the air and we are privvy to the machinations of the media, the government and the royal family and to the reactions of the military and the public as the country is thrown into chaos. There are hints of King Lear, Hamlet and Macbeth for sure and the whole being delivered in Shakespearean verse amplifies that, but that verse is so finely crafted that it never seems less than contemporary. Of course this could only work with the finest of casts and they do not come finer than this company, headed by Robert Powell. He plays Charles superbly well, intelligent, well intentioned and principled, his gradual demise is movingly sad. Jennifer Bryden is  scarily focused as an ambitious Kate driving forward Prince William to what is clearly her goal. Richard Glaves is Harry and swings from rebel prince to loyal prince with hilarious effect but also with sadness at the inevitability of his position. Lucy Phelps as his commoner, republican lover adds both warmth and balance to a role that could so easily be a stereotype.
Rupert Gould has honed this clever play to razor sharpness, the design is finely oppressive and effective and the whole makes for a stunning evening of thought provoking entertainment.
9 February
Theatre Royal Brighton
Andrew Kay
5 stars