Grandage directs Penelope Wilton & Luke Evans in BACKSTAIRS BILLY, West End comedy about the Queen Mother.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/6/23 at 9:26am

Who says only Broadway shows have terrible key art!

 

27 OCTOBER 2023 - 27 JANUARY 2024

Michael Grandage Company presents Marcelo Dos Santos’ new comedy Backstairs Billy which looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Michael Grandage directs Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as Billy.

Set in 1979, when strikes are bringing the country to its knees and Britain is about to seismically change under Margaret Thatcher, it is business as usual for the Queen Mother and Billy inside Clarence House. Receptions are in full swing and the champagne is flowing as the two worlds start to collide with dizzying consequences.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/6/23 at 9:49am

I'm interested to see how this turns out. Penelope WIlton is a rock-solid character actress and Luke Evans is somewhat underrated, especially as a comedic actor. The two of them together could be a lot of fun.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/6/23 at 9:57am

Luke Evans is great. I'd love him to do a show in New York, but I think he's still pretty obscure to American audiences despite Beauty & the Beast and other credits. Or he's a "people know about him but don't care enough to drop $100 on him" actor.

Updated On: 10/6/23 at 09:57 AM

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 10/27/23 at 5:49pm

Performances begin tonight!

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 10:29am

Four positive reviews, one mixed aggregated by BroadwayWorld

[inception]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 12:14pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Luke Evans is great. I'd love him to do a show in New York, but I think he's still pretty obscure to American audiences despite Beauty & the Beast and other credits. Or he's a "people know about him but don't care enough to drop $100 on him" actor."

What? Doesn't everyone have paparazzi pics of him in a speedo as the wallpaper on their phones?

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 12:31pm

I hope this play goes all out in ridiculing the Royal Family. "Remorselessly self-centered" is my favorite part of those reviews. "King" Charles traveled to parliament in a golden carriage yesterday, to open it. Obscene.

[inception]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 4:24pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I hope this play goes all out in ridiculing the Royal Family. "Remorselessly self-centered" is my favorite part of those reviews. "King" Charles traveled to parliament in a golden carriage yesterday, to open it. Obscene."

Guess what, if your an American you already got your on our monarchy in the 1780's.

 

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 5:29pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I hope this play goes all out in ridiculing the Royal Family. "Remorselessly self-centered" is my favorite part of those reviews. "King" Charles traveled to parliament in a golden carriage yesterday, to open it. Obscene."

I assume you feel the same way about the US president and the costs of all the armoured vehicles, convoys whenever he travels, air force one and other aircraft etc etc.

Yes the gold coach looks outdated and tasteless in these times, but it was made a long time ago and is a historical and ceremonial piece.

The 'obscene' costs of designing, making and transporting the president around are very much current.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/8/23 at 5:46pm

Yes, inception, I personally do not have to worry about the insidious effect of monarchy. Except if my compassion extends beyond US borders. Which it does. Charles is the head of state of Canada, of Australia. How the hell does this make sense? I believe monarchy mania leads to nationalism which leads to racism which leads to Brexit which leads to refusing asylum seekers which leads to suffering which leads to death etc. etc.

Anyway, before people hate me even more than they already do... I'm really only talking about this play. If it is light comedy fluff, it only makes people more fond of the ridiculous family. Which is arguably propaganda. These outdated imperial traditions should be abolished ASAP.

Theatrefan2, I think it is generous to compare Charles to Joe Biden. Only one of these people has power, responsibity, a mandate from the citizens through election, actual work to do...