Hilary Lewis

The Crown Jewels is a riotous new comedy based on the most unbelievable royal caper in British history. Don't miss it when it comes to Milton Keynes Theatre in October!

Watch Carrie Hope Fletcher perform 'Praise Him,' one of two new songs from the West End heist comedy THE CROWN JEWELS!

All new rehearsal photos and video footage have been released for the must-see West End comic caper, The Crown Jewels which plays at the Garrick Theatre from Friday 7 July – Saturday 16 September 2023 ahead of regional autumn engagements.

Final casting has been announced for this summer’s must-see West End comic caper, The Crown Jewels which plays at the Garrick Theatre from Friday 7 July – Saturday 16 September 2023 ahead of regional autumn engagements.

It takes an awfully long time to get to the point in Philip Whitchurch's original one act play directed by Julia St. John. Set during a fictional night in the lives of William Shakespeare (played by Whitchurch) and his wife Anne (Sally Edwards) at their home in Stratford-upon-Avon, the story reveals a couple in their later years, bickering but still clearly in love, yet it takes nearly half the play and a frustratingly slow plod through its exposition to get there.

Playwright Gore Vidal was well placed to have in depth knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes in US politics. After all, his mother was the daughter of a Democratic senator and his father worked for Franklin Roosevelt. His interest and involvement in politics led to The Best Man, which made its Broadway debut in 1960 and received six Tony Award nominations. Set in a Philadelphia hotel during the 1960 presidential nominating convention, there is no doubt that the workings of American politics have changed somewhat since that time. To appreciate the jeopardy and drama within the play, it is worth understanding that back then, there were often many more deadlocks and last minute dramas to these conventions than now, when the presidential nominees are chosen much earlier.

Gary Naylor sees a fine, if not quite perfect, stage adaptation of the famous 1973 film in a truly extraordinary location.