Written By
Alan Bennett
Where and When
14th – 17th February 2001 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
George III becomes increasingly erratic after losing the American colonies until doctors are brought in to cure his madness. All of them are eminently respectable quacks and one is in the employ of the Prince to Wales, a man with a strong motive for easing the king further into madness. When the King recovers with the aid of a country doctor, a constitutional crisis is averted.
Cast
- George III – Geoff Whipp*
- Queen Charlotte – Chrissie Neal
- Prince of Wales – Paul Dodman
- Duke of York – Peter Brown
- William Pitt – Martin Matthews
- Edward Thurlow – Barry Baynton
- Henry Dundas – Alex Compiani
- Charles James Fox – Dave Williams
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan – Mark Ellen
- Captain Fitzroy – Paul Hewitt
- Captain Greville – James Carrington
- Lady Pembroke – Penny Whipp
- Papandiek – Colin Pile
- Fortnum – Amanda Brown
- Braun – Bob Hucklesby
- Sir George Baker – Simon Jackson
- Dr Richard Warren – Joe Brooks
- Sir Lucas Pepys – Chris Brown
- Dr Francis Willis – David Pile
- Sir Boothby Skrymshir – Howard Lovejoy
- Mrs Armistead – Jean Dishington
- Margaret Nicholson/Dr Ida Macalpine – Margaret Pope
- Footman – Christian Napier
- With
- Clare Downs
- Rebecca Dudley-Smith
- Tony Brown
- Colin Clarke
- Mel Gudger
*Curtain Call Awards 2001 – Best Actor in a Drama or Thriller
Creative Team
- Director – Richard Neal**
- Set Designer – Amanda Brown
- Stage Manager – Carolyn Hewitt
- ASMs – Jan Stevenson and Ann Pond
- Wardrobe and Make-up – Clare Downs and Rebecca Dudley-Smith
- Sound Recording – Colin Pile
- Costume Designer – Ann Ponting
- Backstage Assistants – Judy Garrett and Jackson Kingham
- Advertising Sales – Geoff Whipp
- Programme – Richard Neal
For the Tivoli Theatre
- Stage Manager – Ashley Thorne
- Lighting and Sound – Russell Parker
** Curtain Call Awards 2001 – Best Director in a Drama or Thriller
Gallery
Reviews
Liz Turner – Wimborne Magazine
It would have taken hearts of stone for the audience not to be moved by Geoff Whipp’s portrayal of King George III. The play must have a strong leading actor, and here Wimborne Drama was blessed.
They tackled the play admirably, seizing on every chance to introduce some humour without losing the seriousness of the issues.
Director Richard Neal should be proud of this production which maintained the high standard expected of Wimborne Drama.
Linda Kirkman – Daily Echo
ALAN Bennett’s fascinating study of a king best known for losing both America and his mind is a masterly piece of writing, and with a named cast of 20+ as well as assorted footmen, friends and bystanders it is also a huge challenge for any company brave enough to attempt it. Richard Neal’s spirited, hugely enjoyable and superbly costumed production drew all the strands of this tragic monarch’s reign together in a tapestry rich in colour and variety.
Shining out as the focal point was the mesmerising and deeply moving performance of Geoff Whipp, excellently portraying the mental and physical crumbling of a dutiful monarch to childlike dependency and confusion exacerbated by a series of quack doctors.
But a king cannot reign alone, and there was fine support in other roles, most noticeably from Paul Dodman as George, Prince of Wales, Martin Matthews (William Pitt), Mark Ellen (Sheridan), Simon Jackson (Sir George Baker) and David Pile (Dr Francis Willis).
No-one in their right mind could fail to enjoy such a drama.
Programme
