Displaying items by tag: Peter Morgan
What Does the Queen Do? The Audience Explains Why Brits Have Royalty
You don’t need to be an Anglophile to love The Audience.
Directed admirably by Nick bowling, it is written by Peter Morgan, the trending screenwriter of the The Queen (Helen Mirren) and the Netflix series The Crown, developed another angle on portraying Queen Elizabeth II: recounting a number of the 20-minute political briefings delivered weekly by Britain’s Prime Minister in a private audience with her Majesty.
This engaging stroll through history will also help explain to American's the vital role the Queen still plays in British society - though whether she's too expensive isn't resolved. The Queen functions as the reflective conscience of the British people, and remains as Prime Ministers come and go.
Even before her coronation, the young Elizabeth is carrying on the tradition, and the play soon brings us to Churchill – who refuses to sit for the conversation. Elizabeth soon puts her stamp on the matter, and he Sir Winston is soon seated and receiving a dose of scotch. She also regularly reminds all her PMs that she heads what was the British Commonwealth - 52 nations largely former colonies who have at least some fealty to British culture and the Queen.
Janet Ulrich Brooks does a marvelous job as the Queen, and the role is demanding for any actress. The playwright avoids a rote chronological sequence by having scenes jump around in time. Brooks ages in place, and manages to convey a constancy of personality, while also evolving Elizabeth who grows up and gets old before our eyes.
Janet Ulrich Brooks is so seriously good here, notwithstanding inevitable comparisons with Helen Mirren, who originated the role in London and brought it to Broadway. You will not think one jot about Mirren when you watch her.
Brooks is also surrounded by a remarkable cast. Along with the Queen, there is another constant figure on stage through all the political ages: the Equerry played with immeasurable aplomb by David Lively. The Equerry is to the Queen, as she is the Prime Minister. The conversations in the weekly audience are expected to be entirely private. And while the Queen is not actually ruling, she is reflecting – and her periodic interjections certainly have influenced the government.
Playwright Morgan has distilled the essence of each of these PMs, while resisting caricature, and tapping into the memorable issues during their terms. Think of names the strongly resonate, like Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, John Major, David Cameron. Kudo’s to the actors and to Matt DeCaro (Winston Churchill / Harold Wilson / Tony Blair), and Mark Ulrich (John Major / Gordon Brown / Anthony Eden / David Cameron). DeCaro and Ulrich have physically taxing roles, and deliver their Prime Ministers with verve and precision.
Carmen Roman as Margaret Thatcher was a dead ringer, and also brought frisson to the scene in which she confronts Queen Elizabeth for disparaging her Reagan-like dismantling of Britain’s social safety net and socialized marketplace.
Also notable for its timeliness – with the 20th anniversary of her death - is the scene in which Queen Elizabeth’s emotional struggles with Princess Diana rise to the surface – but just barely.
A cinematic trope brings a child actor onto the stage intermittently in a nod to the Queen’s childhood – I can’t say those were effective scenes, but they provided leavening for the rest of the play.
The Audience is recommended. It plays through November 12 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave. in Chicago
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
13 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewUpon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are…
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
11 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewJust as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and…
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES
10 December 2024 in Upcoming DanceToday, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series.…
An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreDavid Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Hosts Special Weekend of Benefit Performances During Holiday Run of Rudolph THE RED-HOSED REINDEER An Unauthorized Musical Parody
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreHell in Handbag is pleased to host a special weekend of benefit performances during its upcoming 25th anniversary edition of Rudolph the Red-Hosed…
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is Now Playing
10 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Hip Hop Nutcracker has returned to Chicago by popular demand and is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre…
Join Sweet DeLa and Spicy Jinkx in their irreverent shenanigans
10 December 2024 in Theatre in Review[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven…
Finally, A Fresh and Fitting Take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
07 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLike a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my…
An AfFAIR to Remember; Joffrey's The Nutcracker A Must See This Holiday Season
06 December 2024 in Theatre ReviewsThere is something magical about Chicago at Christmastime. Even if there is no snow on the ground, there is an…
Broadway in Chicago’s Production of & Juliet is a Jaw-Dropping Blast from Start to Finish
05 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets…
A cop & a night watchman get tangled between right & wrong in Shattered Globe's revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, January 24 through March 1 at Theater Wit
04 December 2024 in Upcoming TheatreCharm, romance and humor abound in the 2001 comedic masterpiece Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of…
Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner Radiant Throughout at Bramble Arts Loft
02 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewImmediately following the gastronomical excesses of Thanksgiving are the monetary investments and personal sacrifices we make for Christmas. At the…
Review: It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater
02 December 2024 in Theatre in Review“No man is a failure who has friends,” is to film what “God bless us everyone” is to literature. Frank…
THE CONSPIRATORS ANNOUNCE THE WORLD PREMIERE-ISH OF: AYN RAND'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" AS PERFORMED BY THE CONSPIRATORS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN—NO WAIT, LIZ CHENEY, DECEMBER 20 - 22, AT OTHERWORLD THEATRE
28 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Conspirators are proud to present the world premiere of Ayn Rand's "It's a Wonderful Life" as Performed by the Conspirators…
Porchlight Hosts FUN HOME: BEHIND THE SHOW BACKSTORY, Dec. 10 at Ruth Page Center
28 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatrePorchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Fun Home: Behind the Show Backstory with Artistic Director Michael Weber, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7…
MEAN GIRLS is Now Playing
26 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce MEAN GIRLS – the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film…
Lookingglass Welcomes Founding Ensemble Member David Schwimmer and Chicago Attorney James (Jimmy) Oh to its Board of Directors
25 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAfter pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud…
Cast and production team announced for Chicago Premiere of Reina Hardy’s GLASSHEART, January 10 – February 23
25 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreCity Lit Theater has announced its cast and creative team for the Chicago Premiere of GLASSHEART, by Chicago-based playwright Reina…
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 'Season 47 Fall Series' is Sexy Romantic and Powerful
25 November 2024 in Dance in ReviewSteppenwolf's cozy downstairs theater provided the ideal setting for an evening of outstanding and expressive dance by the highly acclaimed…
Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” Warms Hearts as It Rings in a Joyful Holiday Season
25 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI arrived at the Goodman Theatre for the opening of its 47th annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by…
Don’t Miss this Rollicking Rendition of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”
25 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIf you’re looking for a way to entertain the children (or grandchildren) this holiday season that doesn’t involve long lines,…
A Lovely Night; Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella revives magic at Marriott Theatre
24 November 2024 in Theatre ReviewsIn 1997, Disney came out with the most magnificent adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella that has ever been made.…
Throbbin’ Wood, complete with Merry Men? Count me in!
21 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewWhat the hell is pantomime anyway? Will I be reviewing a game of Charades? Google to the rescue! But I…
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival returns January 15-26, 2025
21 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of…
Oil Lamp Theater Announces the Cast for its 2025 Season Opener: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), Jan. 24 - Feb. 16, 2025
21 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreOil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its first production of the 2025 season, The Complete…
Half-Price Holidays return to Hot Tix as Chicago theatres get festive for the 2024 holiday season
21 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago theatres will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance, and comedy offerings this holiday season. In support,…
Steep Theatre Back Early 2025 with A Slow Air
20 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreSteep Theatre will kick off the new year with the Chicago Premiere of David Harrower's A Slow Air, directed by Steep…
Announcing cast of A Nativity Tribute in Driehaus Museum's historic Murphy Auditorium, presented in partnership with African American Museum of Performing Arts
20 November 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Driehaus Museum and the African American Museum of Performing Arts (AAMPA) announce the casting for A Nativity Tribute, an adaptation of Langston Hughes' gospel…
Delightful Send-up of 1930s Musicals, 'Dames at Sea' Nearly Sunk by Bad Sound
18 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewOverall Citadel Theatre’s ‘Dames at Sea’ has a smashingly great cast of singers and dancers, perfect for a musical comedy…
'Blue' Holds Mirror to Race in America
18 November 2024 in Theatre in ReviewWhen Francesca Zambello, director of The Glimmerglass Festival, commissioned an opera about race in America, the country was reeling from…
Latest Articles
-
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
Written by Kimberly KatzUpon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are instantly transported to an exquisite, romantic art deco speakeasy. The theater itself is housed under a stunning 100-year-old Belgian Spiegeltent,… -
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
Written by Bill EslerJust as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and Holiday-themed shows on stage. While I’ve grown quite jaded about the diminishment of “real” theater during the holidays—steadfastly avoiding the… -
HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO RETURNS TO THE HARRIS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE FOR SEASON 47 WINTER SERIES
Written by Buzz Center StageToday, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series. Featuring four captivating pieces, including a World Premiere by acclaimed choreographer James Gregg, the Series builds on the success of HSDC's… -
An Evening with David Sedaris: The best-selling author and humorist to appear live at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on April 12
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular National Public Radio contributor will be appearing for one night only at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday, April 12 at 8…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.