“King Charles III” by Mike Bartlett
Lace Market Theatre

The play premiered in 2014 and the longer the play runs the closer to recent history it becomes. Charles has been preparing for this role all of his life and now that the Queen has passed and he is about to take up his role, but he has his own vision of how he wants to be King, and that causes conflict within his family, parliament and the country, dividing opinions and loyalty. The action covers the period from the Royal funeral up to the Coronation Day.

One thing I love,and admire about the Lace Market Theatre is that they don't choose productions guaranteed to put "bums on seats", opting more for the artistic view of bringing little performed but interesting plays such as this one to the local stage.

It's a fairly large cast of 17 actors, several playing other roles as well as their main ones, typical of a Shakespearean piece. The vari-aged cast work as one, like a jigsaw. Every piece vital to give the whole picture and if one was missing, you'd notice.

This isn't a production of mimics and unlike TV programmes like "The Royals", there is no attempt to make the actors look like the characters that they are playing, but you just know who they are supposed to be by the distinct characterisation.

Robert Suttle (Charles) presents the king in a masterful role. After all, this is the job that he has been waiting for all of his life.He has a lovely paternal connection with his fellow "family" actors, separating the man and the father from his job as would be King. His smooth and natural acting style worked so well in this role.

Cynthia Marsh (Camilla) had a more comical role than I had expected with her obvious wish to be The Queen.

Mark Gadsby (William) took the role as big brother as well as the next in line seriously, just in the same way as the real Prince is depicted, but only the future will tell if his ending matches the one in this play!!

Lucy Monaghan (Kate) shows that behind every powerful man, there is a woman who is pulling his strings. A real eye opener of a character depiction.

Aaron Connelly (Harry) shows the playboy Prince in a more three dimensional character. I am a fan of this Prince in the real world and I think Aaron, as the younger Prince, showed the fun, normal "lad" with his laddish mates and that touch of reality about him. I loved the fact that he asked James if he had heard of Sainsbury's, where he had been shopping with Jess. Loved this character and the character portrayal

Matthew Clapp (James) plays the personal servant to Charles and the sudden upsurge of work needed to do what the heir requested showed as a worry in James' face. The tug o war juggling act he has shows what a difficult job this character has, and is well portrayed by Matthew.

Alex Milligan (Jess) is the spanner in the Royal works but gives the young Royal a new outlook on his life and I feel breaks down Charles' official exterior, which shows that the future could be more relaxed for the Princes. Obviously written before Meghan came on the scene.

I also loved Roger Newman's role as the Prime Minister and Roger's stage presence and character acting, as well as the best vocal projection of the night, made him a stand out for me.

There's even ghostly visitations from Diana giving a prediction of sorts, but to whom is this prediction aimed at?

When written and first performed, and even as a television drama, it proved to be controversial, but then again so was “Spitting Image” in its’ day. I think the controversy, only a few years on has faded but I really enjoyed this possible crystal ball future glimpse of the Royals, but only time will tell to see if the ending in this play becomes a reality.

Written in Shakespearean blank verse – which for those who didn’t know is “ poetry written with regular metrical but unrhymed lines, almost always in iambic pentameter”. It's an interesting concept with a look to the future with a style that harks back 400 odd years. It's this style that also makes this play different and interesting.

Directed by Sam Allison with a wonderful set designed by Cris Brawn. A set that takes in the Royal quarters, a nightclub and includes a kebab stall which doubles wonderfully as part of the parliamentary scenery.

The lighting design is from Allan Green and the Sound design by Jack Harris, both wonderfully adding to the whole feel and setting of the play.

There has also been a lot of research gone into this play regarding getting advice on Royal etiquette from Steven Scott, who was once a footman to the Queen, and if you thought the riot gear looked realistic, it is because it's on loan from the Nottingham Police. there are no corners cut for this play.

The costumes are brilliant, but again that is no surprise when Max Bromley's name is involved.

All in all this play is an interesting incite into what could happen within the Royal Family when the Queen has gone. There's a good dollop of comedy and, with the wonderful script and the talented cast, this play was over, for me, far too soon.

“King Charles III” is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 17 November 2018.