Set to Hit the Richmond Theatre as Part of Tour Ahead of Possible West End Run
It had previously been indicated that a stage version of the Oscar-winning movie “The King’s Speech” would eventually be making its way to the stage in the West End and Broadway. The last update on the project emerged in August when various sourced indicated that Adrian Noble would direct the project and it would be headed to the West End in March. Though Noble has since been confirmed for the project, the March opening will now coincide with an appearance at the Richmond Theatre as part of its UK tour. The West End version is anticipated to follow.
Ian McNeice has been tasked with portraying Winston Churchill in the production whilst George V is played by Joss Ackland and Queen Elizabeth by Emma Fielding. Meanwhile, Charles Edwards will take over from Colin Firth as George VI and Jonathan Hyde from Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, his speech therapist. Together they will help tell the famous story of King George VI and his battle to get over his speech impediment.
Ian McNeice has appeared in a wealth of television shows and stage productions over the years. For the stage he has appeared in the shows like “The Merry Wives of Windsor” for the Royal Shakespeare Company and for the screen his credits include “Doctor Who” (in which he portrayed Winston Churchill in episodes such as “Victory of the Daleks”, “The Pandorica Opens” and “The Wedding of River Song”), “Doc Martin”, “Rome” and movies “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” and “Ace Venture: When Nature Calls”.
Meanwhile, director Adrian Noble has previously been behind a wealth of shows for the west End and for the Royal Shakespeare Company. His credits include “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium, “Kiss Me Kate” at the Old Vic Theatre, “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” for the RSC and “As You Like It” for the RSC. He was the Artistic Director of the company from 1990 to 2003.
The production would be the later movie-turned stage shows to arrive in the West End, with current productions like “Billy Elliot the Musical” and “Shrek the Musical” following this pattern.
“The King’s Speech” is at the Richmond Theatre from Monday 5th March 2011 to Saturday 10th March 2011 and is still anticipated for the West End following its UK tour.
