by Royce Ryton
Director
Zanna Foley-Davies
Performance dates
15-17, 21-24 January 2026
Auditions
Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September at 7-9pm, Saturday 20 September 10-12 am.
Script
ISBN 0-85676-200-8
The play
The play focuses on the private family drama of Edward VIII and the Royal Family leading up to the abdication. Set in Marlborough House between 1936 and 1945, this powerful drama provides a fascinating and moving study of both a major constitutional crisis and an over-whelming issue of private and public conflict.
Casting
It clearly isn’t possible to visually replicate the Royal Family of the time and I am therefore more interested in developing the family dynamic with strongly defined and believable characters and effective voices, all of which will be your best BBC!
The following descriptions are taken from the text and are a starting point.
Queen Mary
the leading role. She is widowed, aged late 60s to 70s. Very erect with emphasis on dignity but ultimately a mother.
Mabell
Countess of Airlie, similar in age to the Queen, her life long friend and lady-in- waiting. Elderly, dignified and sensible.
Margaret Wyndham
elderly lady- in- waiting, devoted to the Queen but not on the same intimate terms as Mabell.
Mary, Princess Royal
Queen Mary’s only daughter. Late 30s, supports her mother dutifully in all things. A spirited individual who gave the Royal family a friendly face.
Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
mid 30s, sister in law to Edward. This is a small role and would be an excellent introduction to performing at The Barn for the first time or for someone who can’t commit to a larger role.
Elizabeth, Duchess of York
known to us at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Wife of Bertie who becomes George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Mid 30s, extraordinarily charming, at first controlled, becoming upset and finally angry
David, titled Edward VIII
but known as David to the family. This is a leading role. Actual age was 42 but he was so devastatingly charming and youthful that he looked 25 – 30 at most.(No pressure then?) A complex character with very strong convictions which led to his abdication. The play centres on David and his actions.
Bertie, David’s brother
and second in line to the throne. Married to Elizabeth with two children Elizabeth and Margaret. Aged 41. Shy, retiring with a quiet manner and stammers when stressed (Film The King’s Speech). He is deceptively tough and very much a loving husband and doting father.
Mr. Monkton
Advisor and long term friend of David. Aged about 40. Charming and very able. This is another small part which might encourage a new actor to join the company.
John, the Queen’s page
A young man who announces the visitors to the Queen’s sitting room.
Auditions
Please contact the director to sign up for an audition slot. There is no need to prepare anything specific for the audition, but please do read the script and familiarise yourself with this historic event.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will begin around mid-October and will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 7-10pm with some Sunday afternoons if required for troubleshooting and techs.