Backstairs Billy
Ages: 14+
Closing: January 27, 2024Backstairs Billy - 2023 West End History , Info & More
Duke of York's Theatre
St Martin's Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4BG, United Kingdom London WC2N 4BG
Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.
1979. Inside Clarence House, The Queen Mother’s receptions are in full swing and the champagne is flowing. Guiding the proceedings is William ‘Billy’ Tallon, holder of the royal corgis and Her Majesty’s loyal servant.
Outside, strikes are bringing the country to its knees and Britain is on the verge of changing seismically under Margaret Thatcher. These two worlds are about to collide with dizzying consequences… Book your royal appointment today.
__Access Performances__
Captioned: 23rd November 7.30pm
Audio Described: 29th November 7.30pm
BSL: TBC
Backstairs Billy - 2023 - West End Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Backstairs Billy
Backstairs Billy review: This whimsical royal comedy makes The Crown look too careful
8 / 10
It’s Dos Santos’s first West End play, but it doesn’t feel like it. Producer and director Michael Grandage has alighted upon a polished, one-liner-filled script and given it a lavish, pacy production that’s full of moments of delight, from set designer Christopher Oram’s extravagantly pink decor to the real live corgis that scuttle across the stage. The royal family never looked so camp, and that’s before Billy (Luke Evans) delivers his briefing to his newest junior footman: “There are two queens in this castle, and I suggest you pay attention to both equally,” he says, proudly introducing green young Gwydion (Iwan Davies) to the bed-hopping ways of backstairs life.
Backstairs Billy, Duke of York's Theatre review - starry and gently subversive, too
8 / 10
The performances could not be better. I last saw Evans on this same stage in Rent Remixed, but nothing in my experience of him so far suggested the layers of feeling that he brings to this sleekly coiffed purveyor of bravado whose ego gets rather dramatically punctured. Time away from theatre may have made Evans a film name, but seems also to have amplified his connection to the stage. Wilton returns often to the theatre and deserves credit for a portrait that is light on its feet, not least in the various scenes in which the Queen Mother and Billy come together to dance. (Note a fascinating programme interview between the costume designers about capturing the necessary sartorial look.) Entirely aware of 'people like you' (that's to say, gay), the Queen Mother is all tolerance, but only up to a point. And those who might dismiss Backstairs Billy as so much heightened gossip would do well to heed its warning about societal divides that on this evidence can never be breached.
Save up to 56% on BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 9, 2024
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 9, 2024
Tickets from just £15 for Backstairs Billy-saving up to 56%!
Boxing Day Sale: Tickets From £25 for BACKSTAIRS BILLY
by Aliya Al-Hassan - December 29, 2023
by Aliya Al-Hassan - December 29, 2023
Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.
Show Of The Week: Tickets from £30 for BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Luke Evans and Penelope Wilton
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 27, 2023
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 27, 2023
Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.
Review: BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Duke of York's Theatre
by Laura Jones - November 8, 2023
by Laura Jones - November 8, 2023
As the curtain rises, we’re met with a sea of pink – pink damask walls and heavy pink velvet curtains, with pink and white flowers adorning every available surface. This is the Garden Room at Clarence House (brilliantly designed by Christopher Oram), and the year is 1979.
Review Roundup: BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans
by Nicole Rosky - November 8, 2023
by Nicole Rosky - November 8, 2023
Michael Grandage Company just celebrated opening night of Marcelo Dos Santos’ new comedy Backstairs Billy which looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Michael Grandage directs Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as Billy.
Backstairs Billy FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long has Backstairs Billy been running on the West End?
Backstairs Billy opened at the Duke of York's Theatre on Tuesday Nov 07, 2023 and has now been running for 2 months.
Backstairs Billy History
Other Productions of Backstairs Billy
| 2023 | West End |
West End |
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