For a nation that broke away from the British Empire with quite a bit of fanfare, we still love all things English, especially the Monarch.
Chelsea Clinton’s pregnant? No one seems to care.
Kate Middleton’s expecting another bundle of royal joy? Squeals of delight from my (female) colleagues.
But nowhere is Anglophilia more acute than on Broadway. Already announced for the spring are two British imports about the monarchy — “The Audience,” starring Helen Mirren as Elizabeth II, and the stage adaptation of “Wolf Hall,” Hilary Mantel’s bestselling novel about Henry VIII.
And now I hear from highly placed sources at the palace that producers Sonia Friedman and Stuart Thompson are bringing yet another new play about the royal family to Broadway in the spring.
Mike Bartlett’s “King Charles III,” a sellout in the West End, is a speculative satire about the future of the House of Windsor.
It begins with the funeral of Elizabeth II and the ascension to the throne (at last!) of her son Charles. Called upon by his government to sign a bill restricting press freedom, he refuses, precipitating a political crisis that brings England to the brink of another civil war.
I won’t reveal how things turn out in “King Charles III,” but here are a few plot details:
♦ Camilla’s not content to be married to a figurehead.
♦ William, with Kate’s support, has his own ambitions.
♦ Harry gets smashed at a fancy London nightclub and falls in love with a woman who despises the monarchy.
♦ Diana appears as a ghost.
Written in blank verse, “King Charles III” deliberately evokes Shakespeare’s political plays, including “Henry V,” “Richard II” and “King John.”
The production, directed by Rupert Goold, received rave reviews:
“Royally entertaining” — The Guardian
“Spectacular and gripping” — The Telegraph
The critics praised Tim Pigott-Smith as Charles, and I’m happy to report this fine actor will travel with the production to New York.
A theater has yet to be announced, but I expect it’ll be a Shubert house.
AS long as we’re on the subject of British shows, let me sing the praises of the “Les Misérables” revival, which I was a little late in checking out.
It looks and sounds terrific, and that’s largely due to the young — and very attractive — cast. Ramin Karimloo was justly nominated for a Tony for his gorgeously voiced Valjean. I was also impressed by Caissie Levy (Fantine), Earl Carpenter (a scary but tragic Javert), the wonderful Nikki M. James (Éponine) and my “Smash” co-star Andy Mientus (Marius).
The official directors of this so-called “new production” are Laurence Connor and James Powell. But it has producer Cameron Mackintosh’s loving fingerprints all over it.
Can’t wait to see his new production of “Miss Saigon,” which I’m told will be on Broadway next season.