(Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre Productions)
 |
| Raymond Coulthard and Jason Donovan |
Raymond Coulthard gives the performance of a lifetime in the
Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s production of
The King’s Speech. His superb portrayal of the troubled, reluctant monarch is
undoubtedly worthy of an Olivier nomination. His co-star, Jason Donovan, is
equally brilliant, in the role he was born to play, as the unconventional,
antipodean linguist, Lionel Logue.
David Seidler’s play inspired the award winning film that
brought global attention to the personal plight of a family, desperate to be ordinary
but born into privileged servitude, and in particular a man thrust,
unexpectedly and unwillingly, into leading his country at a time of
international crisis. Poor health and a neglectful upbringing, emotionally
scarred the future King leaving him with a stammer, which he knew he had to
conquer, by whatever means necessary, if he was to lead his country and the
commonwealth, as the Head of State. His devoted wife, Elizabeth, found the
answer to their prayers in the unlikely guise of a failed actor, operating as a
speech expert in a Harley Street office, paid for with his and his wife’s
return tickets to Australia. This unusual pairing presents challenges for both
but ultimately forges a friendship that changed history.
Director, Roxana Silbert, has done a wonderful job making
this a story about people. She uses the writing to get us to really care about
the characters. Her staging is slick and she makes the most of the necessary
but disjointed connecting scenes. The use of the ensemble and Tom Piper’s
stunning set design, from beginning to end, is simply beautiful.
Although everyone involved adds to the production, in
particular Claire Lams, whose likeness to the future Queen Mother is uncanny,
the highlights are the scenes between Coulthard and Dovovan. Their honest
portrayal of these two men and their dreams, hopes, fears and the journey they
take is awe inspiring and moved me to tears on more than one occasion.
You have to go and see this! It runs at Malvern Festival
Theatre until Saturday and then continues on tour.
5 stars
