"By Royal Appointment" by Daisy Goodwin.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

This is a new play on me so I had no preconceptions of what it was all about, so here goes....

The play, which I am reliably informed is based on real events, explores the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her dresser, focusing on how the late monarch communicated to the public through her wardrobe.

The play, along with the four actors bring to life a witty and moving look at the team responsible for shaping the Queen's iconic image, and the quiet influence they held behind palace walls.

It also shows the woman behind the crown; a woman who cared about what her subjects thought about her, as a woman, and as a ruler. Even when she felt under the weather as she was getting older, she dressed up to face her people at Royal events; a woman who was proud of her country and what happened to it.

Jane Asher takes on the role of The Queen, and what I really liked about this performance is that Jane never once tried to look like the Queen, nor did she try to sound like the Queen; this was not a "tribute" piece of theatre, it was an actor portraying someone that everyone knew, or maybe thought they did, without the need for an impression of the woman.

The physicality of the role was presented perfectly. As the years rolled by, you visually noted the slowing down process of the body, as well as the change in the voice. This was a woman who was always "with it", let's face it which other Queen performed alongside Paddington Bear, James Bond and Tracy Beaker.

Laura Main, who you'll instantly recognise from "Call the Midwife", plays The Queen's trusted dresser in a story exploring the relationship behind one of the most recognisable public figures in modern history. A great Northern accent, and what surprised me was the odd blaspheming in front of the Queen, but that is just another thing that made the Queen so human, she took it like water off a duck's back.

Laura is a fantastic actor and that earthiness of the Dresser, as well as that simple down-to-earth way of communicating with Queen Elizabeth II is such a lovely leveller for both characters in this play.

Downton Abbey star David Robb is The Designer, the man who created the majority of the Queen's costumes, up until his retirement. This character understands the woman beneath the crown and you get to see the ultimate trust that both have in each other. He understand the emotion and message that Queen Elizabeth II emitted to her fans.

There's a lot of comedy between The Designer and The Milliner, but there's a scene which, again, brings the human side of the character of The Designer to the fore regarding his father and the relationship between the both of them. The Queen gives her advice on the scenario and allows The Designer time to digest the her view. There's also another side of this pair when an action from The Designer does not go down well with his employer!

Matthew Cottle, another well known face from TV and stage, plays the Royal Milliner. Wonderfully flamboyant, a character who really knows how to make an entrance into a room. He's quick to learn royal protocol, even though he sometimes says the wrong things in front of Her Majesty, which also adds to the comedy in this piece. Over time the personal lives of the Queen's staff rise to the top, and that's no difference with the Milliner in an emotional piece regarding the loss of his partner from AIDS.

Laura Matthews is The Curator who reminded us of the various years in question and the costumes and fashions of the Queen, and the highlights of the year musically, politically and socially.

Written by Daisy Goodwin, best known for creating ITV's "Victoria", "By Royal Appointment" offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the late monarch's world, revealing how her wardrobe became a subtle but powerful way of communicating with those around her.

Directed by Anthony Banks this is a lovely piece of theatre with a wonderful cast. Another thing I liked about this production is that to match the colour scheme of the costumes, the stage was lit in the equivalent hue. Lighting is by Richard Howell.

Sound design is by Sarah Weltman.

The music you hear in the production is composed by Ben and Max Ringham.

The costumes are an exact simulations of the ones worn by Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her reign she became a bit of a fashion icon with media talking about her ensembles whenever she stepped out of her royal doors and into the public eye. Associate Costume Designer is Christina McGlynn.

The set design, by Jonathan Fensom, takes us behind the doors of Windsor and Balmoral, showing us what it was like in the places that Her Majesty felt at home and relaxed, without having to worry about the public's gaze being on her every second.

We all like to be flies on the walls of various people's rooms, and this play takes us behind the front doors and we see just how human, and humorous Queen Elizabeth II was. And even when the Queen has passed in the show, you feel the sadness of the passing quite personally because you really become invested in this lovely storyline and production.

"By Royal Appointment" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 10 October.