2023 has been a right royal year! We’ve had a coronation, a royal baby and even a tell-all memoir! Don’t pack away that bunting and relegate the commemorative plates to the cupboards just yet, as the crowning glory in this year’s royal calendar will be taking place next month, and you are cordially invited.
Hailed as an ‘important new voice’ by director Michael Grandage, Marcelo Dos Santos latest play explores the complex relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal steward, William “Billy” Tallon. The production, which stars Luke Evans and Penelope Wilton, centres around a pivotal point in their 50-year friendship, where strikes are bringing Britain to its knees and the class divide is growing by the minute.
We sat down with the award-winning playwright ahead of his West End debut, to discuss the challenges in depicting such iconic characters for stage, his subconscious miming abilities, and why chocolate is just as important as a laptop (or notebook) when writing for theatre.
