The Madness of George III (Review)

The Madness of George III is a compelling and touching mix of drama, history and comedy, and Haig steals the show with his portrayal of the King’s descent into a mysterious psychological disease.

Most recognisable from Four Weddings and a Funeral and for being one of only two male actors to have performed an Alan Bennett Talking Heads monologue on television other than Bennett himself, Haig gets his character’s change from a lively, authoritative King to a helpless, scared man spot on.

The relationship between King George III and his beloved Queen Charlotte, (Beatie Edney) is sweet and authentic, with scenes in their royal bed chamber revealing the tenderness and love between them, which endears us to the King, even when he is making some rather comical moves on the Queen’s lady-in-waiting.

As the King’s disease takes hold, the scenes become increasingly distressing, like when the King is separated from his faithful Queen, or when his footmen are forced to restrain him while phycisians blister his sensitive skin.

Haig’s energy makes for a fantastic performance and there wasn’t a person in the audience who wasn’t wincing as they watched his disturbing illness develop, and willing him to recover.

The four doctors involved in the ‘treatment’ of the King provide both historical context and comedy as they argue the case for their various medical methods, all of which seem ludicrous to a modern day audience.

They even admit themselves that despite being members of the Royal College of Physicians they aren’t really sure what they’re doing, and there is much amusement from the constant examination of the King’s stools and waters.

While the story of the King’s madness is sad and unsettling, there are many funny moments which help keep the mood of the play light-hearted.

Christopher Keegan as the Prince of Wales is an ugly-step-sister type character, who should be reviled for his apathy towards his father’s health and his constant conniving ways but with his poodle-esque hair, pantomime costume and high pitched voice he’s just too amusing to despise.

The unkind fat jokes aimed at him by his father throughout the show are also very funny - sometimes it’s simple comedy which works the best.

By the end, you feel you really know the King’s character, having watched him being broken and rebuilt by the famous mad-doctor Francis Willis (Clive Francis), and when his catchphrase ‘what what?’ returns in the final scenes you can feel everyone rejoicing that the King is his old self again.

The cast make the most of Bennett’s witty writing and their timing and delivery is impressive. The plot is fascinating, and no doubt will spark many an audience member’s interest in the history of medicine and the delicate business of 18th cenutry politics as the King’s incapacity to rule leaves the Government at crisis point.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the production is sleek and smooth, with good use made of the simple set, and a reliance on the fabulous historical costumes for visual impact.

Definitely worth a watch, what what?

The Madness of George III is at Milton Keynes Theatre in Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes until October 29.

You can book tickets online at www.atgtickets.com/9/657/Milton-Keynes-Theatre or by calling the Ticket Office on 0844 871 7652 from Monday - Saturday 9am - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm.