Full casting now announced for The Audience
Producers of the upcoming Broadway transfer of the West End hit The Audience, starring Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, have now announced full casting for the production.
Joining the previously announced Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth, Dylan Baker as John Major, Judith Ivey as Margaret Thatcher, Michael Elwyn as Anthony Eden, Richard McCabe as Harold Wilson, Rufus Wright as David Cameron, and Geoffrey Beevers as the Queen's Equerry will be Dakin Matthews as Winston Churchill and Rod McLachlan as Gordon Brown.
The will be joined by Anthony Cochrane (Cecil Beaton / Detective / Bishop), Graydon Long (Footman / Beefeater), Jason Loughlin (Footman / Beefeater), Michael Rudko (Ensemble), Henny Russell (Queen's Secretary), Tracy Sallows (Bobo McDonald), Elizabeth Teeter (Young Elizabeth), and Tony Ward (Ensemble).
The Audience begins previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 17 February 2015, before officially opening on 8 March 2015 and continuing its limited engagement through to 28 June 2015.
The Audience is written by Peter Morgan, directed by Stephen Daldry, and produced by by Matthew Byam Shaw for Playful Productions, Robert Fox and Andy Harries.
The play follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from 1952 to the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It speculates on the private weekly meetings that the Queen holds with her Prime Ministers at Buckingham Palace. Morgan shows the Queen at various stages of her life alongside Prime Ministers such as Gordon Brown, Winston Churchill, David Cameron and Margaret Thatcher. Morgan is apparently contemplating adding Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair into the narrative, who didn't appear in the London production.
The creative team behind The Audience features scenice design by Tony winner Bob Crowley, lighting by Tony winner Rick Fisher, sound design by Tony winner Paul Arditti, and music by Paul Englishby.
The original London production was directed by Stephen Daldry and opened at the Gielgud Theatre on 5 March 2013, following previews from 15 February 2013. The run sold out, but was broadcast to selected cinemas around the UK and internationally as part of the NT:Live programme.
Helen Mirren won the 2013 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance. She also won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's 2006 film 'The Queen'. She earned Tony nominations for 'A Month in the Country' and 'Dance of Death'. Her extensive London theatre credits include 'The Seagull', 'Henry VI', 'The Roaring Girl', 'Two Way Mirror', 'Phedre' and 'Some Kind of Love Story'.
Dame Helen MirrenOriginally published on