VIDEO: Helen Mirren Talks Portraying and Meeting Queen Elizabeth II

By: Feb. 22, 2015

Helen Mirren returns to the Broadway stage to portray Queen Elizabeth II for the second time, having previously portrayed her in the 2006 film, THE QUEEN. In the following interview, Mirren discusses playing the icon and even meeting her. Check it out below!

The Audience cast is Helen Mirren (Queen Elizabeth II), Dylan Baker (John Major), Geoffrey Beevers (The Queen's Equerry), Michael Elwyn(Anthony Eden), Judith Ivey (Margaret Thatcher), Dakin Matthews (Winston Churchill), Richard McCabe (Harold Wilson), Rod McLachlan (Gordon Brown), Rufus Wright (David Cameron / Tony Blair), Anthony Cochrane (Cecil Beaton / Bishop / Detective), Graydon Long (Footman), Jason Loughlin (Footman),Michael Rudko (Private Secretary / Archbishop), Henny Russell (Queen's Secretary / Mistress of the Robes), Tracy Sallows (Bobo McDonald), Sadie Sink (Young Elizabeth), Elizabeth Teeter (Young Elizabeth), and Tony Ward (James Callaghan / Bishop / Camera Loader / Policeman / Detective).

For sixty years Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said, not even to their spouses.

The Audience imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister uses these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional - sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive. In turn, the Queen can't help but reveal her own self as she advises, consoles and, on occasion, teases. These private audiences chart the arc of the second Elizabethan Age, from the beginning of Elizabeth II's reign to today. Politicians come and go through the revolving door of electoral politics, while she remains constant, waiting to welcome her next Prime Minister.

Geoffrey Beevers, Michael Elwyn, Richard McCabe, and Rufus Wright are appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

Helen Mirren received the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Audience, reprising her Academy Award winning role from the film The Queen, also written by Peter Morgan. The recipient of two Golden Globe, three BAFTA, three Screen Actors Guild and four Emmy Awards, Ms. Mirren has been seen previously on Broadway in A Month in the Country (1995) and Dance of Death (2001).

The production is designed by six-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley with lighting by two-time Tony Award winnerRick Fisher, sound by Tony Award winner Paul Arditti, and music by Paul Englishby.

The Audience is produced by Matthew Byam Shaw for Playful Productions, Robert Fox and Andy Harries.

Tickets for The Audience are available through Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Tickets range in price from $65 to $152 (all prices include a $2.00 facility fee). Premium seating is available.





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