The Audience

The night had finally arrived.
Colorful childhood dreams revolving around a career in the entertainment industry… Early teenage years spent working as an extra in countless silver screen productions… One skill-​sharpening, college course after the other in cinema appreciation and acting techniques… Tagging along with my aunt to Hollywood film festivals and AFM…
Little did I know that all of these experiences were an integral part of the preparation I needed to fully appreciate the magnitude of my biggest interaction with performing arts, to date. Of course, I’m referring to the unforgettable night that I attended my very first Broadway play, starring none other than British powerhouse, Dame Helen Mirren.
The night I’ll never forget was March 31, 2015. My aunt and I had both flown into New York the day prior, specifically for this once in a lifetime occasion. Our evening began with a fine dining experience on East 58^th street, at the critically acclaimed restaurant Felidia’s. Upon departing from one of the most exquisite encounters with Italian fare that I’ve ever had, my aunt and I decided to walk off our gourmét meals by heading to the theater on foot.
Our 13 block trek delivered us to the legendary Schoenfeld Theater, just as crowds began pouring in from the wet and windy night. So that I wouldn’t get lost in the kerfuffle, my aunt apprehended my forearm and snatched me to the entrance. Awestruck by the interior design of the 1918 construction, I hadn’t even noticed until my aunt slung me down the stairs and flung me to my seat that there had been a slight change in our original plans.
«Surprise,» she said. I looked around and realized that, unbeknownst to me, she’d booked us for front row, stage right! (Which happens to be the best place to sit in the Schoenfeld for a comfortable amount of leg room.) When we planned the trip, I pitched in only enough of a financial contribution to cover a seat several rows behind us. My aunt reminded me how adamant I’d been about not having seats which required the use of binoculars to see the Dame up close. «Close enough for ya?! Ha! I don’t think you’ll need binoculars here, huh?»
Before I even had an opportunity to thank her properly, the crowds had settled and it was time to prepare for the show. My aunt informed me that my smart phone (which I have been known to be glued to) would either be turned off to avoid disturbances, or she’d take it out in the rain and perform the Klompendansen on top of it. With every device silenced, the theater went black, the stage lit up, & the show was underway.
From the moment of her heart-​stopping first appearance on stage, Dame Helen Mirren captivated us all. We sat and watched in pure whimsy as The Audience revealed a glimpse inside of Queen Elizabeth’s true thoughts, fears, intentions, and personality. Transcending the barriers of space and time, Dame Helen Mirren pole vaulted from one historic era to the next.
Casually concealed by her ladies in waiting, the Dame would disappear as the young Queen Elizabeth (played on Tuesday nights by child actress Sadie Sink) took center stage to introduce each upcoming circa. Enthralled by every one of Sink’s reminiscent, spotlight monologues, we all remained distracted… Only to realize each time that Dame Helen had once again changed costumes without even leaving the stage.
The Audience truly proved to be one of the most entertaining lessons in history that I’d ever witnessed. With each passing Prime minister, I felt my general understanding of Queen Elizabeth increase, as my western misconceptions began to defrost. Surely I will go on to enjoy several more Broadway plays in my lifetime, but I am beyond grateful that The Audience was my first.

one word… magnificent!

We saw the Audience last night, Helen Mirren and troupe were fantastic, but it’s the theater itself that’s the problem. The Schoenfeld Theatre is incredibly cramped, the seats are made for midgets. I was sat between my husband and another large patron, their knees literally were pressed into the seats in front of us. Think of the worse plane seat in coach, and then go smaller. The man next to me was all but in my own seat. Constant fidgeting made for a disruptive experience. If you get a glass of wine, plan on 18 $+ a glass. The ladies room only had 4 stalls, many elderly ladies were late to their seats after intermission. Staff was polite and respectful.

I thoroughly enjoyed the production. Helen Mirren really shines. The transformations that she undergoes with the help of some ladies in waiting are magical. Extremely impressive. Additionally, the simple sets are beautifully done.
The Prime Ministers all play their roles to a T. There is humor and drama in most of the vignettes and the actors truly draw the audience in.
Obviously, this isn’t a Michael Bay production so if you’re expecting loads of action, you’ll be disappointed. The fact that the play is simply two people having a conversation forces you to settle in and pay attention. No distractions here.
Bravo to the cast and crew of The Audience.

Helen Mirren is a treasure. Her performance in The Audience was truly noteworthy and most definitely worth watching.
Along with Helen Mirren, there were excellent performances by Dylan Baker (from The Good Wife) and the rest of the cast. The set up in the theater makes the stage viewable from any seat, so I wouldn’t worry too much about getting the best seats in the house. The humor is great, with quick quips and interesting characters.
The only downside is that she performs in only 7 of the 8 weekly performances, so there is a chance that she may not be there the day you go. You have to ask at the box office the day of to see if she is, but 12.5% chance would worry me, especially if you’re paying $ 100+ for a ticket.
For its production value, great cast, and witty humor, The Audience is definitely worth being in the audience for!

If you are a lover of accessible biographical theater done to near perfection, with clear, concise direction, master class worthy examples of elocution, and honest portrayals (never even approaching caricature) of notable figures, you MUST see The Audience.
Dame Mirren, as always, offers an impeccable, awe-​inspiring performance. The precision given to speech, body, stance, and movement is mind-​blowing, particularly when coupled with the effortless ease of Dame Mirren’s performance.
The entire cast works as a seasoned ensemble to give a seamless theatrical experience. There were a few moments which were a little much in their execution from the supporting/​ensemble players. But they were quickly forgotten thanks to the brilliance of the whole.
Particular supporting cast highlights were Geoffrey Beevers as The Queen’s Equerry (and, oh! so DELIGHTFULLY humorous of an Equerry was he!), Judith Ivey as Margaret Thatcher, the breathtaking command of Dakin Matthews as Sir Winston Churchill, Miss Sadie Sink as Young Elizabeth (I truly considered waiting by the stage door — which I never do — to shake this young ladies’ hand), and, most of all, Richard McCabe as the hilarious, versatile, and embraceable Harold Wilson.
Last, but NEVER least, Bob Crowley deserves his own standing ovation for some of the most subtly brilliant costume work Broadway has seen in ages!
Do yourself the favor of seeing this tremendous production!