Filling the boots of Jerusalem was never going to be easy for the Apollo Theatre, but in The Madness of George III, they just about managed to find a substitute, when it took over from the hit in 2012. With strong characters, the touch of insanity and its routes in England’s history and culture, the have a few things in common and the change was a good return for the production to the West End.
Written by Alan Bennet in 1991, the play first hit the stage at the National Theatre twenty years ago to massive critical acclaim and box office success. It was later made into a film with a subtly different title of The Madness of King George, in 1994,with Nigel Hawthorne taking the title role of the mad king following on from his original rave performance in the 1991 production.
The play follows the fortunes, or lack there of, of King George III as he is overtaken with certain level of insanity. As physicians rally around him and his stool to find a cure, he eventually finds some solace from his condition in the restrictive practices of Dr. Willis, but the Prince of Wales is also making motions to take the crown so the scene is set for a race against the clock to find a level of sanity that keeps the king in power.
The Madness of George III ran from the 18th January 2012 for a limited 11 week stint at the Apollo Theatre until 31st March 2012, following the close of Jerusalem at the end of 2011. It was later transferred to the Theatre Royal Bath after much public and critical appreciation.
David Haig (Four Weddings and a Funeral & The Thin Blue Line) took on Nigel Hawthorne’s former role as King George III alongside other cast members, Clive Francis, Beatie Edney and Madhav Sharma.
The Madness of George III tickets prices were priced £65 for stalls and £49.50 depending on the performance, £65, £49.50 & £45 in the dress circle depending on the performance, £39.50 & £32.50 in the upper cirlce and £25 & £20 for balcony seats.
Information and ticket bookings was available on 0844 482 9671
