The Windsors: Endgame | The Prince of Wales Theatre | Review
Whether you support the monarchy or not, we are fascinated and have opinions about the UKs royal family. Amongst the many adaptations about the royals there are none quite so satirical and laugh out loud entertaining as ‘The Windsors. Originating as a TV show on Channel 4, the Windsors pulls no punches as it caricaturises many of the English Royals. Running for three series, each getting more bizarre than the last, the comedy is widely watched on British TV.
Recently opened in London’s Prince of Wales Theatre is now a stage version of the hugely popular programme. Called ‘Endgame’ the irreverent plot involves the newly appointed King Charles and the ambitious and tyrannical Camilla, yearning for absolute rule and to turn the UK into a feudal state. Can the fab four settle their differences and thwart their plans? Ring a bell? the premiss is not wholly dissimilar to Mike Bartlett’s play King Charles III, however The Windsors: Endgame is purely a parody and cannot be taken seriously on any level.
The cast comprises of some of the TV cast, but also a number of actors unconnected with the TV programme, Harry Enfield reprising his role as the blundering Charles is now coupled with Tracy-Ann Oberman playing Camilla who akin to a pantomime villain looks resplendent in Elizabethan attire and belts out the best song in the show to enthusiastic applause.
Tom Durant-Pritchard (Harry) and Crystal Condie (Meghan – pronounced Muggan) together with Ciaran Owens and Tara Tointon (Wills and Kate) play the squabbling next generation of royals. The current royal rift is explained as Meghan and Kate tells their own side of the story and a new problem is created for them all to overcome.
Other story lines are provided by the ‘minor’ royals. Prince Andrew’s true-life antics are not shied away from and are mentioned frequently throughout the play as Bea and Eugenie aim to clear his name and Fergie tries to get her life back together. Matthew Cottle keeps the audience laughing transferring his TV role as inept Prince Edward to the stage. Despite not having an actual storyline, Edward is pleased to be playing various bit characters in the play, after all, he has plenty of theatrical experience having previously worked for ALW you know!
Fans of the TV show will not be disappointed and anyone with a basic knowledge of the Royal family will enjoy it too. Yes, it is irreverent and completely disrespectful but never has a constitutional crisis been more fun.
The Windsors: Endgame will play throughout summer 2021 at the Prince of Wales Theatre until it is superceded by The Book of Mormon.
Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill