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The Audience 2015

Run Time:
Two hours and 15 minutes
Opened: March 8, 2015
Closing: June 28, 2015

The Audience - 2015 Broadway History , Info & More

For sixty years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a private weekly meeting. This meeting is known as The Audience. No one knows what they discuss, not even their spouses. Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returns to Broadway, and the throne, in a riveting new play by Peter Morgan, the writer of the Academy Award-nominated film, The Queen. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, An Inspector Calls), THE AUDIENCE takes theatregoers behind the walls of Buckingham Palace and into the private chambers of Queen Elizabeth II as she meets with each of her Prime Ministers, from when she was a young mother to now as a Great Grandmother. From the old warrior Winston Churchill, to the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher, through the charm offensive of Tony Blair right up to today's meetings with the current incumbent David Cameron, the Queen advises her Prime Ministers on all matters both public and personal. Through these private audiences, we see glimpses of the woman behind the crown and witness the moments that shaped a monarch. You cannot miss the performance that had London on its feet: Helen Mirren in THE AUDIENCE.


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PREVIEW The Audience - 2015 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Audience

'The Audience': Theater Review
8 / 10

Morgan's take on the Queen in these fictionalized meetings is daubed in skewed sentiment, but Mirren sells it with impeccable finesse. The playwright finds poignancy in his protagonist's indebtedness to Major for guiding her through the public's growing distance from the monarchy, as well as in her understated but evident affection for Wilson, who starts their association on the defensive but forges a relaxed camaraderie as he shares his self-doubts. McCabe and Baker take full advantage of playing the most fully drawn of the PM characters, giving relatable performances that provide an entertaining counterpoint to Mirren's poise.

The Audience
8 / 10

Exuding perfect regal frostiness while letting us glimpse the lonely person underneath, Mirren transforms brilliantly (helped by lightning-fast costume changes) from the grandmotherly 69-year-old comforting an insecure John Major (Dylan Baker) to the 25-year-old heir apparent nervously schooled by Winston Churchill (Dakin Matthews). Richard McCabe's sly-boots Labour PM Harold Wilson teases her with obvious affection, and she nimbly defends herself against the fire-breathing Margaret Thatcher (Judith Ivey).

BWW Flashback: The Queen Ends Her Reign on Broadway as THE AUDIENCE Closes Today
by BWW Special Coverage - June 28, 2015


Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Helen Mirren and directed by Stephen Daldry, began previews on February 14 and opened on March 8 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). The production closes today, June 28, and below, BroadwayWorld takes you back to the play's beginning on the Great White Way!

NT Live Re-Broadcasts THE AUDIENCE, Starring Helen Mirren, Today
by BWW News Desk - June 25, 2015


Beginning today, June 25, National Theatre Live will present encore screenings of Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Academy & Tony Award winner Helen Mirren, and directed by Stephen Daldry, to select cinema screens in markets internationally. These screenings will include an exclusive In Conversation with Stephen Daldry and Helen Mirren.

NT Live to Re-Broadcast THE AUDIENCE This Week
by Tyler Peterson - June 22, 2015


Beginning this Thursday, June 25, National Theatre Live will present encore screenings of Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Academy & Tony Award winner Helen Mirren, and directed by Stephen Daldry, to select cinema screens in markets internationally. These screenings will include an exclusive In Conversation with Stephen Daldry and Helen Mirren. For participating venues and tickets, visit www.ntlive.com. Click here to watch the trailer.

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- You Took the Town, Mate
by Rufus Wright - June 23, 2015


Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returns to Broadway as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, which just opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Playing one of Her Majesty's twelve Prime Ministers is Rufus Wright, who takes his audience with the Queen nightly as the UK's current PM, David Cameron.

VIDEO: THE AUDIENCE's Helen Mirren Shares Strong Thoughts on Ageism in Hollywood: 'F**king Outrageous!'
by Caryn Robbins - June 19, 2015


While speaking at The Wrap's Power Woman Breakfast in New York City on Tuesday, recent Tony Award winner Helen Mirren had some strong words to share about rampant ageism in Hollywood.

VIDEO: Sneak Peek - THE AUDIENCE's Sadie Sink Stars on NBC's 'American Odyssey'
by Caryn Robbins - June 18, 2015


Below, watch a sneak peek at Sunday's all new AMERICAN ODYSSEY ON NBC, featuring series regular Sadie Sink, currently starring in Broadway's The Audience as young Queen Elizabeth.

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- We Can Hear You...
by Rufus Wright - June 16, 2015


Academy Award winner Helen Mirren returns to Broadway as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, which just opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Playing one of Her Majesty's twelve Prime Ministers is Rufus Wright, who takes his audience with the Queen nightly as the UK's current PM, David Cameron.

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- Tony Night
by Rufus Wright - June 9, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

TV: THE AUDIENCE's Helen Mirren on Her Tony Win - 'I'm Embarrassingly Thrilled'
by BroadwayWorld TV - June 8, 2015


THE AUDIENCE's Helen Mirren won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play last night. BroadwayWorld caught up with her in the winners' room right after her speech - click below for the actress' reaction to her new achievement!

TV: THE AUDIENCE's Richard McCabe on His Tony Win - 'It's a Good Award When It's Got Some Weight to It'
by BroadwayWorld TV - June 8, 2015


?THE AUDIENCE's Richard McCabe just accepted the 2015 Tony Award for Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Prime Minister Harold Wilson. He re-joined THE AUDIENCE after the London production for which he won an Olivier Award for best supporting actor. This is his Broadway debut. BroadwayWorld caught up with McCabe in the winners' room right after his speech - click below to hear his thoughts on his Tony win!

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- A Visit from the Clintons
by Rufus Wright - June 2, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- Voting Myself out of Work
by Rufus Wright - May 26, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- Tearful British Actors Witness British General Election
by Rufus Wright - May 19, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

VIDEO: Tony Award Winner Sara Ramirez Spots The Clintons Attending THE AUDIENCE
by Sally Henry Fuller - May 17, 2015


Sara Ramirez picked the right night to attend THE AUDIENCE.

Photo Coverage: Sardi's Unveils Caricature for 2015 Tony Nominee Helen Mirren!
by Walter McBride - May 13, 2015


Just yesterday, Sardi's Restaurant unveiled a new caricature for 2015 Tony nominee and star of The Audience, Helen Mirren. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the special celebration!

THE AUDIENCE, Starring Helen Mirren, Coming to Theaters This June!
by Caryn Robbins - May 12, 2015


Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Helen Mirren and directed by Stephen Daldry, along with an exclusive Q&A, comes to select U.S. cinemas on Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m. local time.

National Theatre Live Bringing THE AUDIENCE Back to Cinemas for One-Night-Only
by Tyler Peterson - May 1, 2015


National Theatre Live has announced that Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Academy Award winner Helen Mirren and directed by Stephen Daldry, will make a return to cinema screens around the world in select markets with encore screenings beginning Thursday, June 25. The encore screenings will include an exclusive In Conversation with Stephen Daldry and Helen Mirren. For participating venues and tickets, visit www.ntlive.com. Click here to watch the trailer.

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- Trendy New Yorkers Starting To Emulate 18th Century Brits?
by Rufus Wright - May 12, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- 'British People Just Sound Smart'
by Rufus Wright - May 5, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

BWW Exclusive: Diary of an Englishman in New York- Selfishly Taking Our Clothes Off For The Greater Good
by Rufus Wright - April 28, 2015


Follow along as Wright takes us behind the scenes of The Audience's Broadway journey with 'Diary of an Englishman in New York'. Be sure to check back weekly for his latest installments!

The Audience History

Other Productions of The Audience

2013   West End
West End
2015   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

The Audience - 2015 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2015 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Leading Actress in a Play Helen Mirren
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Play Helen Mirren
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Bob Crowley
2015 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Richard McCabe
2015 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Helen Mirren
2015 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play Peter Morgan
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actress in a Play Helen Mirren
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Bob Crowley
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Play Stephen Daldry
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Richard McCabe
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Rick Fisher
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play The Audience
2015 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Play Bob Crowley
2015 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play Richard McCabe
2015 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Helen Mirren

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