The King’s Speech – Wyndham’s Theatre Reviewed

Powerful, triumphant and a British Masterpiece are only some of the words I would use to describe The Kings Speech Play which opened at The Wyndham Theatre last night.

Seidler’s play centers on how King George VI conquered his debilitating stammer with the help of maverick speech therapist Lionel Logue.

Showcasing a myriad of talents, the main focus of course was on Charles Edwards following in the footsteps of Colin Firth as George VI, Charles Edwards from the film version.  Edwards was totally engaging to watch and perfectly conveys the agony of Bertie’s battle with his speech impediment.
Jonathan Hyde was equally captivating to watch as Lionel Logue a the somewhat unsuccessful Shakespearean actor turned Harley Street Speech Therapist.

Other truly phenomenal performances was that of Ian McNeice as Churchill and Emma Fielding as the then Duke Of York’s wife Elizabeth.

Hyde had a great dry sense of humour which lightened the the mood at times. It’s tremendously comical as Logue is brought up to date on the previous therapists “They’re idiots,” he snaps, “They’ve all been knighted,” replies the Prince, “It makes it official then.”

The story is so much more than the title as I really felt a relationship develop between these two very different men. Their stories are increasingly moving which brings them closer together allowing Bertie to let his guard down.

Beautifully played by both actors there is so much warmth and emotion, certainly a key ingredient to such a historical and political story.

There is no doubt that just like the films reign over the Baftas this will be reigning over the Olivier Awards next year.

The King’s Speech is booking until July 21st 2012 at Wyndham’s Theatre. For more information and tickets visit www.kingsspeechtheplay.com