Peter Morgan’s The Audience which is directed by Sam Hodges opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on 30 May, running until 22 June.
For 65 years, the Queen has met her Prime Minister every week in an Audience at Buckingham Palace. With both parties agreeing never to repeat what is said, not even to their spouses, we wonder, what was discussed?
What secrets were shared? Does her Majesty have her favourites? Sometimes intimate, often confessional, occasionally explosive, The Audience imagines the private moments that define a changing Britain. With one head of state and endless heads of government, this play asks where the real power lies.
The Artiscape spoke with Sharon Singh who plays The Equerry, about her new role. Her theatre credits include Arabian Nights (Hoxton Hall), The Game of Love and Chai (Tara Arts/UK tour),Death of Kings, The Misanthrope (Conservatoire National Supérieur D’art Dramatique), Cyrano de Bergerac (New Vic Theatre), Hamlet (Bussey Building), Titus Andronicus, Othello (UK tour) and Holes (Arcola Theatre); and for television, Vera.
We asked Singh what attracted her to the script:
“Having enjoyed Peter Morgan’s work, especially The Crown”, says Singh “I find his ability to capture the intimate, behind-the-scenes, stories of the Royal Family extremely fascinating and enlightening.’
“I have also always been intrigued by the Monarchy and their elusiveness, so this script was a real draw for me”, she adds.
What is Singh most looking forward to in doing the play?
“The physical challenges of playing The Equerry,” says Singh. “In our version, there is a language created between protocol and emotion which we have explored through movement.” She is also looking forward to performing at Nuffield Southampton Theatre, her hometown, “Southampton is massively exciting for me as I have wanted to do so for as long as I can remember.”
How would Singh describe the character she play?
“The Equerry is the person who organises and facilitates the day to day diary for the Queen” she explains. “The Equerry is always from a military background so my character is a stickler for the rules and for the protocol.”
“That being said”, she continues “the Equerry also has a passion for ensuring the protection of the Queen and having spent the best part of 3 years by her side, really becomes her confidante of sorts. My timeline spans across her 60-year reign in this particular version, so we have been developing a relationship there that is, at times, very intimate.”
Singh tells us about the other characters in the play she admires.
“I’m really interested in Anthony Eden,” she says. “He has a fascinating journey that sees him as a political hero with a traumatising decline that must have been excruciating for him to go through but is really invigorating to watch and learn about. I also love Bobo McDonald, because her relationship with the Queen is so pure and intimate which I find really heart-warming.”
Finally we ask Singh, what she feels an audience will take away from seeing the play;
“A rare and exciting insight not only into the Queen and her audiences with Prime Ministers,” she says “but the responses to her joys in life as well as her tribulations”.
“The play is wonderfully light and funny with sharp jagged edges and regardless of your feeling toward the Monarchy itself.” She believes that whatever opinion you hold on the monarchy you will appreciate “the Queen’s resounding and unwavering love for her country”.
The Audience opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on 30 May, running until 22 June.
