Two extra performances added to The Audience

Producers of the upcoming Broadway transfer of the West End hit The Audience, starring Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, have announced an additional two performances to the schedule at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

The production will now begin previews on 14 February 2015, rather than the previously advertised 17 February. Opening night will remain 8 March 2015, with the play booking to 28 June 2015. Tickets for the additional performances are now on sale.

The Audience stars 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.

They are 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 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.