J. Major & M. Thatcher roles cast in 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 casting for the roles of former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Joining Mirren will be Tony nominee Dylan Baker as John Major and Tony winner Judith Ivey as Margaret Thatcher. Previously announced cast members include Michael Elwyn as Anthony Eden, Richard McCabe as Harold Wilson, Rufus Wright as David Cameron, and Geoffrey Beevers as the Queen's Equerry.

Dylan Baker earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 1991 for his performance as Prince Conty in 'La Bête.' Other Broadway credits include 'God of Carnage,' 'November,' 'Mauritius,' and 'Eastern Standard.' He has also earned 3 Emmy Award nominations for his role as Colin Sweeney on 'The Good Wife.'

Judith Ivey won Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 1985 for 'Hurlyburly,' and in 1983 for 'Steaming.' She was nominated in the same category in 2013 for 'The Heiress,' and for Best Actress in a Play in 1992 for 'Park Your Car in Harvard Yard.' Other Broadway credits include 'Follies,' 'Voices in the Dark,' 'Blithe Spirit,' 'Precious Sons,' 'Piaf,' and 'Bedroom Farce.'

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.

The original London cast included Paul Ritter (John Major), Nathaniel Parker (Gordon Brown), Richard McCabe (Harold Wilson), Edward Fox (Winston Churchill), Michael Elwyn (Anthony Eden), Haydn Gwynne (Margaret Thatcher), Rufus Wright (David Cameron), David Peart (Jim Callaghan), and Geoffrey Beevers (Equerry).

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'.