Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
Average Audience Rating: ★★★★½
Everything Theatre Rating: ★★★★
Read our review!
Until 3rd August at the Tristan Bates Theatre
12-24th August at the Space, Edinburgh Fringe
Book tickets for Camden
Book tickets for Edinburgh
Joe Turner, London – ★★★★
“Sharply written telling of one of the great stories of modern times. Royal, social, and political history are cleverly woven into a strong narrative reflecting a decade that although recent seems a lifetime ago. In the classic tradition of the Bard this is a tragic, comic, and thought provoking theatre experience and one not to be missed.”
Michelle Doust, London – ★★★★★
“I went with nine people to see this play and we all really enjoyed it. Some of the Shakespearian references may have been lost on a few of us, self included, but the humour in the script, its pace and the multi-dimensional characters kept us all engaged. It is the depth to the various characters that I feel gives this play its broad appeal… In particular, I enjoyed seeing a more sinister side to Lady Di’s puppy dog eyes and thought the actress (Sarah Heenan) illustrated Diana’s “media friendly” naivety, superbly. Likewise, we were all entertained by the Stephen Russell’s Major – the perfect personification of “grey” – which was a sharp contrast to the convincing unashamedly ambitious Tony Blair (also played by Russell), which had the audience both cringing and laughing out loud. Prince Charles, played by William Baltyn, also put on a “jolly good show”; his self pity over his royal responsibilities was particularly effective. However, the whole cast were impressive; each character offering up unsavoury personality traits for the audience to indulge in. This was all interspersed with classic Brit-pop hits; tying together the chaos of the time with a red & blue seal of 90s nostalgia.”
“Sharp, witty and well-acted. Lots of laughs, but also strangely moving, as we know all along that tragedy is inevitable.”
John Wood, London – ★★★★★
“Cleverly mixing clips of political speeches in with the iambic pentameter helps recast the main players in the story as Shakespearean character types. A play that’s full of ideas and ways of looking both at Shakespeare and recent history. Well worth seeing for the concept alone, but also very entertainingly played.”
Liz Finch, Bristol – ★★★★★
“What a fantastic play, I really enjoyed it, held me enthralled. The acting was very professional especially Princess Diane and Tony Blair with the timings and humour spot on. Well done to the Director! The message from the play was loud and clear which is down to the exceptional writing and professionalism of all the cast. I would recommend this play for viewing as a great evening’s entertainment and hope it achieves the success it deserves in Edinburgh. Definitely one not to be missed!”
Lynn Goodwin, Liverpool – ★★★★
Anonymous – ★★★★
“Delightful, witty, cheeky and fun. I knew I was in for good night the minute “Diana” stepped onto the stage doing that dopey eye peeping – the whole audience started giggling. War of the Waleses takes a pop at politics, media, and royalty but never settling for cheap shots. The play made me think of how we all – individually and as a society – create our own monsters.
OK so some of the Shakespeare speak was lost on me, but that’s to be expected, I’m no scholar. The actors played multiple roles with real believability, and I was engaged – tempted to leg it down onto the stage to help the obnoxious journalist when he got a kicking. I loved how the play was broken up into chunks punctuated with short bursts of song from the era – and the singing was flawless, the harmonies were spot on.
Judging by the laughing and joining in by the audience I’d say you can’t possibly have a good reason to miss this play. Go – stretch your brain, take a walk down memory lane and be entertained. What more could you ask for on a night out?”
Alex Sarll, London – ★★★★
“Shakespeare’s histories recast for the nineties, with a just-gone age’s devious or bumbling royals and politicos replacing his Richards and Henries all too well. Also, glowsticks. “
Louisa Shindle, London – ★★★★★
“A unique mixture of humorous political commentary and comic impersonations – almost like a Spitting Image minus the puppets but in Shakespearean speak. The performances are very well observed and the humour (as well as the brilliant and sometimes unnerving(!) soundtrack) will particularly appeal to anyone who can remember the 90s. I thought the ending in particular was dealt with really well – the play runs from 1992 to 1997 so there’s no prizes for guessing where it basically concludes. It does have a statement to make about the media, the Royals and the celebrity culture that surrounds them now, but it doesn’t ram things down your throat. Highly recommended for both Camden Fringe goers and also Edinburgh Fringe goers from next week onwards.”
Anonymous – ★★★★
“Having seen this show in an earlier incarnation, this one is leaner, tighter and sharper than before. If you came of age in the 90s, and saw New Labour come into power, see it. If you know/like your Shakespeare, so much the better.”
Conor Mac, London – ★★★★★
“Witty, wise and packing a punch. Terrific performances & a full house wednesday. Of this modern Shakespeare, Bill the Quill would undoubtedly approve.”
To be or not to be here now? Wiser and subtler than you might expect, this tragi-comedy on the miserable wife of Windsor and Labour’s lost love is a Major achievement.