The King's Speech - Milton Keynes Theatre
5th May - 9th May 2015

Playwright David Seidler actually started writing The King's Speech as a movie "I got about 70 pages into it and I showed it to my wife, who said, why don't you write it as a play?"

Having a stammer from early childhood himself, Seidler had taken inspiration from George VI's battle to overcome his impediment and vowed he would someday write about it.

His script was heavily vetted by some very eminent British historians, who all confirmed that the story was wholly correct except for the fact that the relationship between the King and the speech therapist was actually over a period of about 23 years. Seidler condensed the time line so it felt like it was over a much shorter period for the play.

Famously, the Queen Mother requested that Seidler delay telling her husband's story during her lifetime, which meant that he had to wait a very long time before he could see his project finally come to fruition.

I was interested to see how a recent, well loved award winning film would transfer to the stage - I wasn't disappointed.

It has much irreverent wit and all of the historical detail, it portrays the same sense of the Royal Family's struggles and successes at a key moment in time when the Country was on the brink of war. 

The story is really about the relationship between "Bertie" and Lionel Logue - the Australian speech therapist, who was instrumental in curing the stammer of the man who became King George VI.

As the much loved Scott Robinson in Neighbours, Jason Donavan headlines this production as the unorthodox voice coach Lionel Logue.  Donavan is clearly authentic enough in being a brash Australian, however is was eerie seeing the former golden boy now as a dowdy middle-aged man.  Donavan is surprisingly a fine actor, I quickly forgot I was watching a former soap star!

Stage and screen star Raymond Coultard as the vulnerable Bertie, gives a stunning and deeply moving portrayal of the man who never wanted to be King. 

The stage set and costumes are wonderful - the set cleverly dotted with wooden doors from which the cast move on and off stage.  It is all very slick, the movement of the props by the cast swiftly on and off the stage to change the look and feel is extremely well done. 

Both leading men gave hugely compelling and powerful performances and it was no wonder the whole audience rose to their feet in appreciation at the end.

It was completely absorbing throughout and a brilliant nights entertainment.

Enjoy!

Lily B X