Prince of Wales Theatre – until 9 October 2021
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
4****
Writers Bert Tyler-Moore and the late George Jeffrie were able to apply their combined comedic talent to both stage and tv. Jeffrie’s legacy will live on in this piece, managing to balance satire with a great sending up to make the audience belly laugh. The Windsors transfers to stage from tv screen without losing any of its edge.
Harry Enfield became the living caricature of Prince Charles that we are all so familiar with, in edgy cartoons and sketch shows like spitting image. Terry-Ann Oberman brings a hint of Cruella de vil to Camilla that builds her character to megalomaniac proportions. Oberman gives an outstanding singing performance in her song revealing her feelings about Princess Diana. The ludicrous shades of dark and light are accentuated by the young princes and their spouses. Kara Tointon is a particularly convincing Kate and her fight scene with Meghan (Joelle Dyson) had the audience laughing out loud.
I am not sure whether the production team are being sensitive to the times or want to attract a wider audience, I do think they have an opportunity here to push the boundaries of acceptance a little further. Having said that, its almost pantomime proportions are a great way to escape the overly serious and sensationalised media coverage of the royals. They are a great subject to work with!