King Charles III

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 10:20am

So, now there's an official announcement of it taking the Music Box starting previews October 10 and opening on November 1.  

I saw this Olivier Award winning play in London and it was spellbinding.  Tim Pigott-Smith truly creates a complicated character in Charles.  Lydia Wilson as Princess Kate was brilliant - but no word yet whether she will be joining the Broadway cast.  I didn't find the show too British when I saw it - I do wonder how US audiences will react as they realize the show is in verse.  The play is audacious in its concept and execution as it is basically a Shakespeare "history" play with a ghost thrown in for good measure.  

 

But, all that said, I'm confused, since Shuffle Along was announced for the same theatre to open April 21, 2016, and apparently starting previews on March 14, 2016.  But, there's nothing in the King Charles III announcement that indicates it is a limited run.  

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 10:27am

I thought it was very good but it seems like a risky move to Broadway. 

[tazber]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 10:31am

I can't wait.

This was the show I was hoping would transfer this season.

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 12:10pm

This show has one of the most intruiging premises for a play I've ever seen

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 12:56pm

I can't wait for this!!!!!!! 

[Scripps2]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 2:47pm

A derivative retread of 1990's House-of-Cards sequel To Play The King that doesn't have even a quarter of the mischief of its predecessor, and which is so shallow it doesn't even dare to explore the issue that becomes the central character's Achilles' heel. The verse element of the play is over-stressed in the hype and frequently unnoticeable in the theatre. Diana's ghost is amusing (for five minutes) whilst the portrayal of Prince Harry is of such a fickle standard it would disgrace a Hollyoaks script.

A waste of an Olivier award and if a certain poster wants to dismiss this as the "snob hit of the season" he may well, for once, be correct.

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 3:09pm

I'll be in London next week and I just couldn't get enthused about this one.  Planning on seeing Curious Incident and perhaps The Play That Goes Wrong or The Nether.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 4:53pm

"I'll be in London next week and I just couldn't get enthused about this one.  Planning on seeing Curious Incident and perhaps The Play That Goes Wrong or The Nether."

Haven't seen the last two but Curious Incident is definitely worth seeing.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 5:49pm

Yeah, my mother saw Curious Incident on Broadway and I've never heard her rave so much over any show.  She told me she'd pay for my tickets to see it in London if I went because she wants me to see it SO BAD!  She's thinking about seeing it on Broadway again next month.

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 6:01pm

The Play that Goes Wrong is well worth your time - but check theatremonkey's website because there are many obstructed views, especially house left.  Supposedly seats and the show have been reconfigured - but be forewarned.  

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 8:30pm

Another British history import?

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/13/15 at 8:36pm

"Another British history import?"

 Sort of.  It's in the style of a Shakespeare history play - but is not history, because, well, Charles isn't King yet.  

[Tapdance2]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:19pm

Saw this twice in London & I think it's excellent, very curious to see how audiences here respond to it. Mike Bartlett is one of the most interesting & exciting young talents writing for theater today, the cast is exceptional as well. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:33pm

Ooooh...thanks for the tip, ggersten!  I noticed it's been on TKTS, so I was thinking of trying that.  We noticed several shows we'd like to see offer day seats as well, so we may try those.  I just fear they are all restricted view seats as they often are in the US.

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 9:47am

bumped for Keiichi2.

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 10:00am

Keiichi2 - I have no idea how ticket sales will be for this in NYC.

For more information on the UK production, you could register on theatreforum.com and read the message board there.  

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 5:35pm

Bumped for Phillypinto.

Updated On: 5/27/15 at 05:35 PM

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 7:07pm

"A derivative retread of 1990's House-of-Cards sequel To Play The King that doesn't have even a quarter of the mischief of its predecessor, and which is so shallow it doesn't even dare to explore the issue that becomes the central character's Achilles' heel. The verse element of the play is over-stressed in the hype and frequently unnoticeable in the theatre. Diana's ghost is amusing (for five minutes) whilst the portrayal of Prince Harry is of such a fickle standard it would disgrace a Hollyoaks script.
A waste of an Olivier award and if a certain poster wants to dismiss this as the "snob hit of the season" he may well, for once, be correct.
 "

 I don't think you can really compare them though. They are different entities exploring the same person in different ways. I don't think you should rebuke the play just because you might not think its as good as the house of cards sequel. Plus, the brits are great with dramas especially when it has to do with their royalty. I am so excited for this!!

Updated On: 5/27/15 at 07:07 PM

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 7:21pm

So if Scripps has seen them both and sees a similarity and thinks one is superior to the other, he shouldn't say so on a site dedicated to discussing such things?

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/30/15 at 6:54am

"I don't think you can really compare them though. They are different entities exploring the same person in different ways."

So during the two-and-a-half hours between your post in this thread and your post in the other you've managed to source and watch all four hours of To Play The King? Or are you guilty of what you tried to accuse me of? Of course they are directly comparable - they have the same plotline. Even a friend of mine who has English as a second language and comes from a different constitutional background can see that.

"I don't think you should rebuke the play just because you might not think its as good as the house of cards sequel."

See Reginald Tresilian's post above.

"Plus, the brits are great with dramas especially when it has to do with their royalty."

Life lesson: when you pick a fight with someone, do some research so you know who you're taking on and can assess whether you are capable of doing so.

Updated On: 5/30/15 at 06:54 AM

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/30/15 at 7:42am

Tim Pigott-Smith! I'll buy a ticket on that basis alone.