A STANDING OVATION AT EVERY PERFORMANCE!
David Haig gives the performance of his life as King George III in the West End premiere of Alan Bennett's smash-hit comedy THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III. Originally premiered at the National Theatre in 1991, the play went on to become an international theatrical sensation and was made into an award-winning film. Rarely performed because of its huge cast, this new production took the public and critics by storm when it opened at the Theatre Royal Bath in August 2011 and now transfers to the Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited eleven week season.
In spite of a catalogue of accomplishments - he founded the Royal Academy of Arts, was a passionate advocate of science, literature and music and fathered fifteen children - George III is best remembered today for his bouts of unbridled lunacy.
Subjected to the appallingly cruel medical treatment of the day and assailed by power struggles between politicians and his scheming son, George remains throughout an intensely sympathetic character - melancholy, moving, witty...and finally triumphant.
This epic production features a stellar cast alongside David Haig including Clive Francis, Beatie Edney and Madhav Sharma.
Daily Mail
24 Jan
Quentin Letts
***** (5 stars)
"The commitment with which Mr Haig portrays the hurricane of the king's mental disorder is magnificent...crazily clever, madly watchable."
The Times
24 Jan
Libby Purves
***** (5 stars)
"It is rare to meet a production so flawless..." "In the huge cast every personality stands out." "Superb."
Evening Standard
24 Jan
Fiona Mountford
**** (4 Stars)
"Haig seizes upon this once-in-a-lifetime gift of a part from Alan Bennett and makes it his own." "Royally good."
Daily Telegraph
24 Jan
Charles Spencer
**** (4 Stars)
"David Haig proves every inch Hawthorne's equal in a performance of extraordinary emotion, tenderness and humour." "Haig marvellously captures the wit, the impatience and the eccentric likeability of the monarch." "Christopher Luscombe's elegant, lucid, and deeply felt production grips throughout and Haig is simply magnificent, both in his madness and his deeply moving recovery."
The Guardian
25 Jan
Lyn Gardner
**** (4 stars)
"This is an intelligent, witty and moving West End fare with a big, compassionate heart. It features a most extraordinary performance from David Haig, an actor who radiates sweetness, terror, comedy and tragedy, often in the same line. The play is everything because of him."
The Financial Times
25 Jan
Sarah Hemming
**** (4 stars)
"David Haig Shines as Alan Bennett's ailing monarch." "Christopher Luscombe's beautifully pitched revival, brings this catty, bustling world alive with vigour and a dash of period seasoning." "At the heart of it all is Haig's exceptional, humane performance as the monarch. He makes the part his own: full of brisk, beaming energy at the outset, he draws that energy into increasing mania as his illness upends his behaviour."
The Mail on Sunday
29 Jan
Georgina Bronw
**** (4 stars)
"A majestic Haig rules the stage, magnificent and profoundly moving."
Daily Express
27 Jan
Julie Carpenter
**** (4 Stars)
"The night is Haig's."
Sunday Express
29 Jan
Mark Shenton
**** (4 stars)
"David Haig combines classical authority with a moving descent into madness that is Lear-like." "Christopher Luscombe orchestrates proceedings with grace and a tender warmth."
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