The play, which tells the story of King George VI and speech therapist Lionel Logue, who helped the monarch in his battle with stuttering, will begin its West End run on 22 March, facing the press on 27 March.
Though originally written as a piece for the stage, The King’s Speech won plaudits and awards during 2010 and 2011 when it was brought to the silver screen in a movie starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
The theatrical production, which is directed by former RSC Artistic Director Adrian Noble, stars Charles Edwards, who charmed audiences at Shakespeare’s Globe last summer as Much Ado About Nothing’s Benedick, in the role of the troubled king.
Australian actor Jonathan Hyde (Jumpers at the National Theatre, King Lear and The Seagull with the Royal Shakespeare Company) plays the antipodean therapist, while Emma Fielding (TV’s Kidnap And Ransom and Cranford) plays Queen Elizabeth. The cast also includes Ian McNeice, Michael Feast, Joss Ackland, Charlotte Randle, David Killick and Daniel Betts.
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square
Access description: One 20cm step up to foyer through heavy double doors opening inwards. Box Office counter on the right. 18 steps down to Stalls. Staircases have handrails on both sides and some steps are highlighted. 12 steps up to the Royal Circle, 21 to the Upper Circle and approx. 43 to the Balcony with 2 steps between rows. Auditorium is carpeted – all other areas are tiled.
Sound Amplification: Infra-red system with 20 headsets. ID required. Collect headsets from the Cunard Bar which is a kiosk located at the bottom of the stairs from the foyer to the stalls. Induction loop at Box Office.
Guide Dogs: Guide dogs are allowed into the auditorium and staff are available to dog-sit in the foyer.
Disabled Access: 2 spaces in Box A but no access for electric wheelchairs or scooters. Maximm 2 wheelchair user patrons per performance.
Toilets: One toilet in the box although it would not be possible to access this in a wheelchair. The women’s off the Stalls has been slightly adapted. From the foyer bar, the men’s and women’s are up 8 steps with a further 2 steps down inside the entrance to each. 1 step down to non-adapted toilet accessed via St Martin’s Court (level access) – please ask staff to assist.
Disabled Toilets: None at present. Patrons can use adapted toilets at the Noel Coward theate behind the Wyndham's.