October
2003
The Madness of George III |
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Madness of King George |
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After
the collaboration between the Birmingham Rep and the West Yorkshire
Playhouse of 'A View from the Bridge' - it's now the turn of 'The
Madness of George III'.
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Is this the way forward for regional theatres - to collaborate in
the production of shows which ensure quality and variety?
The Birmingham Rep and the West Yorkshire Playhouse have done just
that with two productions: Arthur Miller's 'A View from the Bridge'
and Alan Bennett's 'The Madness of George III'. While one proudction
is being staged at the Rep, the other production is staged at the
West Yorkshire Playhouse - the plays then change venues.
'A View from the Bridge' has been well recieved at the Rep - and it
looks like 'The Madness of George III' will be just as popular. It
starts it's run at the Rep on Wendesday 22nd October.
The Madness
It's 1788 and King George III is preparing for the opening of parliament
with his devoted wife, Queen Charlotte, and their 15 children.
Yet, despite this picture of respectability all is not well in the
palace. Not only has the king lost the colonies but he's losing his
mind.
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| The
Madness of George III |
With the
smooth running of Government depending on his sanity and the Prince
of Wales increasingly impatient to succeed the King, it's a race against
time to get the King fit.
The Prime Minister's only hope is a self-taught doctor with peculiar
methods and a reputation for curing dementia.
Michael Pennington (co-founder of the English Shakespeare Company)
plays the king in Alan Bennett's blisteringly witty and tender play.
For more on Michael Pennington click
here.
'The Madness Of George III' premiered at the National Theatre in 1991,
the show became an Oscar-winning film in 1994.
| Details
of the production |
The Madness
of George III by Alan Bennett is showing at the Birmingham Repertory
Theatre from 22nd October until 15th November.
Tickets can be obtained from the Box Office on 0121 236 445 or you
can book online at
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