King Charles III

The British Monarchy is something that has never been of any great interest to me.  Sure, I’m aware of the major milestones – the royal wedding, the loss of Lady Di, the maturation of the children, and the never answered question “when is Prince Charles going to take his turn on the throne?”  Who could have imagined that the ultimate transfer of power would unfold in such a fastinating series of events.

The play, King Charles III, starts with no surprises, opening just after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I really wondered how this topic could possibly be made interesting.  That question is quickly answered.  Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that the transition of power is not completely smooth.  The unfolding story is well crafted and provides us with all of the characters we are more or less familiar.  By the end of this play, you will never see them the same way again.  It would be hard to over emphasize how well represented each of the main players is as they perform for us on stage.  One may even be concerned that too much emphasis has been placed on the physical cloning of the characters.  But I assure you there is no cause for alarm here.  Great performances are provided by all.  My favorite role was Prince Harry who brings his royal character to life in a way that almost transcends reality. 

We saw the play with our friends Fred and Janet.

The sound, the lighting, the staging, all hit exactly the right note.  A modern play partially written in iambic pentameter can be a risky undertaking but the execution is flawless. This play is a comedy but never eases up on the dramatic throttle until the final curtain.  Somewhat long at more than two and a half hours, I must confess that when it was over, I was ready to see more.  My hope is for the sequel Prince Harry. 

Review by JMG

Side Note:

A favorite reliable, reasonably priced, and delightful pre-theater dining experience is Cafe Un Deux Trois.  We met Fred and Janet there and had a good French bistro brunch in a bright and airy atmosphere.  This restaurant caters to the theater crowd and knows how to balance a proper dining experience with getting you out the door on time for the curtain.