King Charles III - Relaxed Performance Sensory Guide

Relaxed Performance 16th February @ 7pm Linbury Theatre, LAMDA Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes including an interval Content warnings: Contains themes of an adult nature and strong language.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES AT LAMDA • You are welcome to come and go from the theatre as you need.

• There is a break-out room available.

• House lighting is on low throughout, never going to full black-out.

• Loud noises are reduced in sound level.

• No strobe lighting Is used.

• You are welcome to react to the show however you may need.

• At the end of this document is a show synopsis/sensory guide.

Here is a guide to sensory information symbols in this document: Indicates potentially loud or sudden noises

Indicates bright or sudden lighting changes

Indicates a sad or potentially distressing scene

Indicates fighting, or use of guns/weapons

Arriving at LAMDA

When you arrive at LAMDA, the box office is to your right. You should pick up your ticket here, using your name.

You will be asked to show proof of double vaccination using the NHS App, or a negative lateral flow result taken in the last 24 hours.

Unless you are exempt, you will be asked to wear a mask at all times while in the building.

Toilets are located right next to box office.

Toile

LAMDA staff will be wearing LAMDA branded T-Shirts. If you need any assistance whilst in the building, please ask them.

This is the Theatre Foyer. You may be asked to wait here until the house is open.

You will be shown how to get to the Linbury Theatre by an Usher.

This performance will take place in the Linbury Theatre.

This is the entrance.

When you enter the theatre, an Usher will take your ticket from you. You are welcome to sit where you like.

You can come and go from the space whenever you like.

The house lights will stay on low throughout the show.

There is a break-out space called ‘The Rittner Room’ which you are welcome to use at any point during the performance. It can be accessed via the stairs or lift in the main entrance foyer.

If you aren’t sure at any point during your visit where to go, please ask an usher.

Before the show begins, the actors will introduce themselves and the characters they are playing.

There is an interval in this performance. This will be indicated by the lights getting brighter. It will be 15 minutes long. You are welcome to stay in your seat.

An usher will let you know when the show is starting again. The house lights will dim.

The lights in the theatre will become brighter, and you can exit the theatre through the door you came in through.

At the end of the show the actors will come on and bow. You are welcome to clap at this point if you would like.

During the show some actors stand in the aisles either side of the seating and speak from there. They also use these aisles as entrances and exits for some scenes.

Please do not worry about using these to leave and enter the space, they are for communal use.

King Charles III Company Headshots

Anita Adam-Gabay is playing: Jess

Joe Boylan Charles

Daniel Bradley James Reiss/Terry

JHere is a photo of Jess

Patrick Flannery Mr Stevens

James Lyon Harry

i

Jacob Hutchings William

Calum Maclean Spencer/Nick/Sir Gordon/Paul/Archbishop of Canterbury

Rebecca Lewis Camilla/Free Newspaper Woman

Yasmine Meaden Kate

Shaun Mendum Mr Evans

Florian Stuendel Cootsy/Clive/Sir Michael

Madeline Strauss Ghost/Sarah/TV Producer

SHOW SYNOPSIS / WHAT TO EXPECT King Charles III - Play Synopsis - Scene by Scene Act One Scene 1.1 Queen Elizabeth II of England has died and her family –Charles, Prince of Wales, his wife Camilla, his sons the Princes Harry and William, and William’s wife Kate –convene immediately following the funeral. Charles has a moment alone to contemplate the weight of his upcoming coronation and betrays his fear of failure. Prime Minister Evans arrives to pay his respects and Charles makes a last-minute decision to make his public appearance unaccompanied - a bold symbolic gesture in his new role as King.

Scene 1.2 Prince Harry, shirking his responsibility and duty to his family, goes out partying with his friends Spencer and Couttsey. They set him up with a young woman, Jess Edwards, whom they expect will be a one-night stand for the rebellious and newly divorced prince.

Scene 1.3 Charles meets with Prime Minister Evans and thwarts convention when he challenges a parliamentary bill proposing limits on freedom of the press. The two men debate the virtues of journalistic freedom, privacy, and the nature of parliamentary democracy. Charles bucks convention once again by summoning Mark Stevens, the leader of the opposition.

Seizing apolitical opportunity, Stevens suggests that Charles technically has a legal right to refuse to sign the bill. In a soliloquy that ends Act One, Charles confesses his weakness and indecision and then thinks he sees a ghost –he wonders if it is the ghost of his mother or simply a hallucination born of stress, fatigue and grief.

Act Two Scene 2.1 Prime Minister Evans is with his wife Sarah when he receives a letter from Charles proclaiming his refusal to sign the bill. Evans calls a meeting with Stephens and suggests that the two politicians present a

united front to Charles. Stevens pledges his support to the PM but manages to convince Evans to speak to Charles without him.

Scene 2.2 After a fun night together, Harry is smitten with Jess and seduced by the normalcy she represents. Press Adviser James Reiss does not approve of the match. The PM arrives to speak with Charles and runs into Kate and William, with whom he shares the news of Charles’ refusal to sign the bill. The PM tries to convince Charles to change his position but Charles remains resolute, stating, “Without my voice, and spirit, I am dust.”

Act Three Scene 3.1 Outside 10 Downing Street, PM Evans gives a speech to the British people publicizing Charles’ refusal to approve the bill. He vows to the people that with or without the King’s signature, the bill will be made into law within the month.

Scene 3.2 Charles makes a public speech on TV during which he argues the virtues of journalistic freedom, and cautions against the dangers of censorship and corruption. He emphasizes his duty to obey his conscience and uphold journalistic freedom, even if it thwarts democratic convention.

Scene 3.3 Jess Edwards secretly meets with Press Adviser Reiss and discloses that she is being blackmailed by an opportunistic ex-boyfriend who is threatening to sell naked photos of her now that she is an object of tabloid attention. She pleads for Reiss’s assistance but he is unreceptive. They are soon interrupted by the arrival of Charles, who, in a soliloquy, reveals his surprise and delight in opinion polls reporting that he has the support of 50% of the British people. Camilla enters and laments the stress she sees in Charles. She tells him that Mark Stevens has arrived to see him. The two men hold a secret conference during which Stevens encourages Charles to seek historical precedence for a King interfering in government politics. After Stevens leaves, the ghost of

Diana appears once again and stokes Charles’ ambition when she refers to him as “the greatest King we ever had.”

Scene 3.4 In the middle of the night, William and Harry both think they hear screams. Harry, distraught because Jess has abandoned him in the night, leaves. Kate enters and learns that William has summoned the PM for a secret midnight meeting to discuss the issue of Charles and the privacy bill. William betrays his nervousness by pleading with Evans to try one more time to convince Charles to sign the bill. Frustrated, Kate takes matters into her own hands and insists that William present his father with an ultimatum in order to preserve the monarchy. Reminiscent of Lady Macbeth, she tells William, “Become the man I know you are and act.”

Scene 3.5 Harry buys a kebab from a food truck. The food vendor, not knowing he’s speaking with Prince Harry, reveals a view widely held among the British people –that the Queen’s death has signalled the unravelling of the British Empire. When the kebab vendor detects that Harry is lovesick, he encourages him to pursue his romance.

Scene 3.6 At the House of Parliament, both political parties are prepared to sign the new bill into law, regardless of the King’s unwillingness to consent.

They are interrupted by Charles, who bursts in and dissolves Parliament.

Act Four Scene 4.1 In the wake of Charles’ bold act, there is growing political protest, violence, and instability. Jess Edwards protests against the monarchy.

Harry finds her and convinces her to give him one more chance.

Scene 4.2 At Buckingham Palace, Charles asserts his authority and implores the Chief of Defence, Sir Gordon, to make a “show of strength” by bringing in an armoured tank to guard the palace. Charles continues to insist, despite pushback from the MPs, on the dissolution of Parliament. He

enlists Mark Stevens to deliver this message to the House. Harry and Jess come to Charles to declare their love for one another, warn him that a naked photo of Jess has been leaked to the press, and request permission for Harry to be absolved of his royal duties and lead a common life. Charles pledges his support to Harry and Jess, granting Harry’s request; but, at the behest of Reiss, asks Harry to postpone the announcement until after the coronation.

Scene 4.3 In a soliloquy, Kate condemns race-and gender-based power imbalances in government and reveals her plans to stake a claim for herself and her children. She then surprises William by summoning the Prime Minister, together with the Head of Police, who provide reports of increasing instability. Kate and Evans insist that the future of the royal family is threatened if William does not interfere; he eventually relents and agrees to follow Kate and her plan.

Scene 4.4 Charles, William and Kate are at a TV studio with James Reiss as Charles prepares to make a televised speech to the nation, defending his position. At the last moment, he is ambushed by William, who takes the stage to declare that he will act as a liaison between the King and Parliament. He states that Charles has agreed to this arrangement.

Furious at his son’s lie, Charles exits.

Act Five Scene 5.1 Betrayed by William and James Reiss, Charles is enraged but remains resolute in his position. He fires Reiss, who says he now works for William. William enters and the father and son confront one another – Charles demanding respect and familial duty, and William pleading for a peaceful, stable end to the conflict. William proposes that at the forthcoming coronation, he and Kate should be crowned in place of Charles. The PM joins to help convince Charles to follow this course.

Eventually Camilla, Kate and Harry also arrive, delivering an ultimatum to Charles, forcing him to choose between his family and the crown.

Eventually, a sorrowful Charles acquiesces.

Scene 5.2

At the coronation, Jess arrives to discover that Harry has reversed his decision, choosing family, duty and royalty over her. Charles briefly holds the crown and muses, “It is much heavier than I thought,” before William is crowned King of England

Sensory Guide

The stage is dimly lit, candles are lit at the sides of the stage. The actors are stood on stage as you enter the theatre. When the show begins the other actors enter the stage as a choir singing a Requiem Mass about the death of the Queen.

There are bright lights which fade in at the back of the stage towards the end of the song.

There is a quick lighting change to a brighter environment.

Camilla and the Charles discuss the death of the Queen.

Charles and William discuss their fear of their children dying.

Music plays and the light changes while Charles has a soliloquy.

Thumping club music plays, and lights change to red and blue as we see Harry and his friends in a London Club.

There is a snap lighting change and thumping music as we move to Charles and the Prime Minister

Mr Stephens references the Nazi Party in conversation with Charles

There is a lights go darker slowly and there is ominous music as the Ghost visits Charles

There is a slow lighting change to a bright environment with quick paced music as we move to see the Prime Minister and his Advisers in Downing Street. The advisor shouts after Clive leaves.

There is upbeat music and lighting change as we move to Harry and Jess in Buckingham Palace

Harry shouts about his excitement regarding their evening together

Charles and Mr Evans raise their voices when discussing the signing of the bill

There is a snap lighting change and tense music as we move to the Prime Minister speaking at his lectern. There are camera flashes

There is a snap lighting change as we move to Charles sat at his desk speaking to the nation

There is a snap lighting change to a blue light with music as we move to James waiting for Jess.

Jess is sad that a nude photo of her may be leaked to the press by her ex-boyfriend.

There is a soft lighting change as we move to see Charles talking about opinion polls. The lights change as he moves to his desk and back again as he and Camilla move across the stage.

There is a slow lighting change to blue light and ominous music as the Ghost visits Charles.

Charles shouts and is sad. The lighting and music change again as the Ghost leaves.

The lights slowly change to bright light above William with a choir singing as we move to William in the palace. He is joined by Harry and the lights change again.

Harry is sad that Jess has left him.

William talks about his mother dying and talks about hearing a scream

The lights slowly change to a light above William and choir music plays. Then a blue light fades in with ominous music as William is visited by the Ghost. He cries and shouts.

Upbeat Music and the lights slowly come up as we move to Harry and Paul by a Kebab Van. Harry is sad.

Lights snap to a black out and slowly come up with loud music and shouting noises as the actors enter the stage and become MPs in the House of Commons. The Speaker of the House and the MPs shout. There are loud knocking sounds.

Charles enters the House of Commons and there is loud classical music and shouting. Paper is thrown into the air by the actors.

INTERVAL

The actors come on stage wearing Guy Fawkes style masks, they play out a protest scene to loud thumping music and a deep red light. Sometimes the lights flash brightly and suddenly. There are sounds of police sirens and a police helicopter, and the flashing light to signify fire. During the newspaper woman speech the back lighting bars flash brightly repeatedly.

The actors curse heavily and make aggressive poses to act our fighting and rioting. This is all controlled and choreographed.

One protestor suffers a nose bleed, this is mimed by the actor, their character is also scared and is chased by the other actors playing rioters

.

There is a lighting and music change as Jess enters and speaks to Harry. They shout.

There is a loud police siren and a slow lighting change to a bright room as we move to see Charles talking so Sir Gordon, we can hear the sound of a crowd outside Buckingham Palace

Charles discusses the attempted (failed) assassination of the Queen. Charles and Sir Gordon discuss the threat of civil war. They discuss soldiers and guns.

Harry asks Charles if he can no longer be a Prince. This is sad news to the family. Harry and Jess are happy when Charles accepts.

There is a slow lighting change to a brighter environment as William enters to speak with Kate.

Sir Michael talks about violence occurring across the country and mentions one man who has been pushed through glass and is now in intensive care. At the end of the scene there are loud gong sounds.

There is a blackout and a slow fade up and classical music plays as we move to see James and the Television producer. When William speaks to the press there are flashing lights signifying camera flashes.

There is a snap lighting change to a dark space and then the lights slowly come up on Charles.

Classical music plays.

Charles is alone and speaks about the crowd outside Buckingham palace. He shouts very loudly

William joins Charles and they discuss the death of the Queen. They discuss the possibility of a clash between the army and the police. William also tells Charles that he wants Charles to abdicate and that he and Kate should be crowned. They shout very loudly. They cry.

Camilla enters and slaps William across the face.

This is not a real slap but is choreographed – the actors do not make contact, and this is safely controlled. Camilla is sad.

Charles abdicates the throne and cries.

There is loud trumpeting music and a slow lighting change to bring the lights up on the Coronation in Westminster Abbey. We see Harry reject Jess and they are both sad. Jess cries.

There is suddenly loud music and a bright lighting as the coronation ceremony begins and William is crowned king. The actors shout God Save the King and there is bright lights at the back of the stage.

THE END