BWW Previews: THE KING'S SPEECH, Transferring To The West End

It was a smash-hit movie starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, and draws on a royal true story. Emma Fielding would be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated about playing Elizabeth, Duchess of York, eventual Queen, and then Queen Mother. 

However, it's not been a concern to her at all.

"I hadn't seen the film," she says. "Then I decided not to. I'm not Mike Yarwood - I'm not going to do an impression. I needed to go to the text and work from there."

There's not a great deal of footage or recording of Queen Elizabeth speaking, which meant that Fielding wasn't tempted to do an imitation even if she could.

She says that the hook for her was the very real love story between Bertie and Elizabeth - George VI and his Queen - as that's something that's universal and easily understandable, even with a background of huge privilege.

David Seidler wrote the play before it became a film (and he won an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Screenplay), and the stage version includes much more of the political and historical context of the story, including Edward VIII's friendships with the likes of Oswald Mosley. The differences haven't distracted audiences: Fielding reports standing ovations throughout the tour.

The play has been such a success around the country that it's now moving to the West End, opening at the Wyndhams on 22nd March. "We weren't ever expecting that," says Fielding. "It's lovely, though, and very exciting."

The King's Speech is booking until 21st July.

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