The stage production of The King’s Speech, which received strong reviews when it opened in the West End in March, is to close earlier than planned.
The tale of George VI’s struggle with a speech impediment and his work with therapist Lionel Logue will play for the last time at the Wyndham’s theatre on 12 May. It had been booking until 21 July.
Producers have blamed the decision on the speed with which the stage production followed the Oscar-winning film, stating: “Two years ago, originating producer Michael Alden was ready to put the play on and the film came along and blocked its path. At the start of this year, we believed that enough time had passed between the film and our opening. This clearly was not the case. We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished. It is a production of genuine quality that has been critically and publicly acclaimed across the board.”
The stage production stars Charles Edwards as George VI, the role taken so successfully by Colin Firth in the hit film. Following Firth was always going to be a difficult task, but on opening night Official London Theatre’s Kate Stanbury thought Edwards’s “moving, at times hilarious, performance, brings Bertie to the stage in a performance that makes you think Colin who?” Edwards is joined in the cast by Jonathan Hyde as Logue, with Emma Fielding as Queen Elizabeth.
There is currently no news about what might replace The King’s Speech at the Wyndham’s theatre.