The King’s Speech at the Manchester Opera House Review
The King’s Speech
Opera House, Manchester
30 March to 4 April 2015
Reviewed by Catherine Joyce
We drove to the Opera House, which is easy to find on the western edge of Manchester city centre. Like many others we parked at the nearby modern Spinningfields multi-story carpark which costs £6 if you arrive after 6pm. For those people that arrive earlier or who just want to avoid the queue at the carpark pay station you can get your ticket validated at the theatre for £7.
Having never seen the Oscar winning film, I was new to this real life story about how Prince Bertie, soon to be King George VI, turns to speech therapist Lionel Logue, in order to overcome his speech impediment. As well as the main plot the play also covers the relationships between the royals, senior politicians and political themes of the day. The story compresses the real life events of many years to appear as if everything happens over a much shorter timescale, in reality Lionel and King George were friends for many years. Knowing the play was based on real life events there was always the danger that it could be a little stuffy however I was quite surprised with the amount of humour in the play, which had the audience laughing out loud on a number of occasions.
The play is written with the fast paced feel of a film and the scenes switch quickly between a number of different locations. The wooden panelled set is simple and plain but works surprisingly well with the use of the many doors in the wall helping to set the scene. Simple props mark out the move from a palace to a cathedral or to Lionel’s sitting room. I don’t generally like the use of a plain set but in this case I thought that it worked really well.
There is a large cast who all perform very well but this play is really only about two characters, Bertie and Lionel, who are excellently cast in their roles. Raymond Coulthard is very convincing as the second son of the King, sure of his place in the background until his brother’s love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson forces his abdication and thrusts Bertie into the public’s gaze. The new technologies of radio and television mean it is imperative that he overcome his serious stammer in order that he can lead the country into war.
The performance of the night has to go to Jason Donovan, cast as an Australian failed actor turned speech therapist whose brusque manner initially irritates the Royals but who eventually shows Bertie that he can succeed and ultimately conquer his problem. He plays a convincing middle aged character and it is easy to forget that this is the same Jason Donovan that starred in Neighbours all those years ago.
Having not seen the film I will make no judgement as to which is best, all I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this play and judging by the applause the rest of the audience did too.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £11.90 to £37.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).
The King’s Speech is at the Opera House in Manchester until 4 April 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3018.
Opera House Manchester. 3 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP | 0844 871 3018
