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Queen Elizabeth II and Her Prime Ministers Get the Royal Treatment in ‘The Audience’ at Drury Lane Theatre: Review

“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II. (Credit: Brett Beiner)“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II. (Credit: Brett Beiner)

On opening night, a stout corgi waddled onstage with its handler. The pup took one look at the crowd, slipped its leash and wandered off into the wings.

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This unexpected star turn briefly took the audience of “The Audience” out of the queen’s realm and into a west suburban theater. It was less Westminster Abbey and more Westminster Dog Show.

Thankfully, the remainder of the play didn’t break the fourth wall with the same willfulness as the queen’s favorite breed of dog.

Drury Lane Theatre launched its fall season with “The Audience,” a lively and entertaining drama that imagines private conversations between Queen Elizabeth II and the prime ministers who served during her reign. Here, Her Majesty acts as both therapist and sparring partner for the heads of Parliament.

The monarch’s humor and intelligence are winningly captured by Janet Ulrich Brooks, who portrayed the same role at Timeline Theatre in 2017. Particularly resonant are scenes she shares with her younger self, the precocious child who would become Queen for 70 years. Young Elizabeth is played by the thoughtful young actor Omi Lichtenstein, who alternates the role with Elin Joy Seiler.

“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II and Matt DeCaro as Winston Churchill. (Credit: Brett Beiner)“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II and Matt DeCaro as Winston Churchill. (Credit: Brett Beiner)

The prime ministers are depicted by familiar faces from Chicago theaters, including Lookingglass and A Red Orchid. Alex Goodrich is especially good as Tony Blair, smarmy and eager for a “quick” war in Iraq. Matt DeCaro makes a formidable Winston Churchill, and Susie McMonagle embodies an icy Margaret Thatcher, cutting social safety nets while defending South Africa’s apartheid.

The character of each PM is delineated as they defer to and spar with their queen.

Writer Peter Morgan’s 2013 play has smart dialogue, clever construction and a great deal of speculation — these were private meetings, after all. The playwright also wrote the 2006 film “The Queen” with Helen Mirren and created “The Crown” for Netflix. Morgan is clearly the go-to writer for all things royal.

Two years after the queen’s death, “The Audience” remains a worthwhile look at some of the most influential people of the 20th century. It also raises curious questions. For instance, how would it feel to be a young ruler and see your face on postage stamps and currency? This work of imagination convincingly provides a look into the mind of the monarch, while also considering the entrapment that comes with a life of privilege.

And it gave this writer an idea for a play: the life of Queen Elizabeth II as told through her corgis.

Call Peter Morgan!

The play runs through Oct. 20 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II and Alex Goodrich as Tony Blair. (Credit: Brett Beiner)“The Audience” at Drury Lane Theatre features Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II and Alex Goodrich as Tony Blair. (Credit: Brett Beiner)


 

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