“Dynamite” in Nottingham's Madness of George III

Published: 28 October 2018
Reporter: Steve Orme

Director Adam Penford and Mark Gatiss in rehearsal for The Madness of George III
Adrian Scarborough in rehearsal

“Theatrical dynamite” comes to Nottingham when Mark Gatiss and Adrian Scarborough team up in Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III at the city’s Playhouse.

Artistic director Adam Penford met Gatiss while they were working on Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre in 2010.

Penford said, “I knew that I wanted to end 2018 with a big play, something quite spectacular. I love The Madness of George III—I think it’s a modern classic. But I knew I wouldn’t want to programme it unless I knew who was going to play the title character.

“When I started to think about actors who could play it, I thought of Mark Gatiss. He’s not afraid to go to a slightly dark side and George III isn’t a wholly sympathetic character—he’s quite belligerent and pretty grumpy.

“Mark’s an actor of real range and I just offered it to him. It turns out he’d always coveted the role, he knew Nottingham Playhouse’s work and he was happy to sign up 18 months in advance. We’re very lucky. He’s very much in demand—he’s an Olivier Award winner, so it’s a real privilege.”

Penford has secured Scarborough to play Dr Willis. He added, “Adrian and I have been looking for a project to work on together for a long time. He and Mark Gatiss are two of the UK’s leading theatre actors; their combined talents on stage will be theatrical dynamite. Nottingham’s in for a real treat!”

Gatiss explained why he had accepted the role. “I was very thrilled at the idea of it. It’s a brilliant play. It’s the human story that appeals. I think that the face behind the royal mask is something that Alan Bennett has always been interested in, as have I. It’s a terrific play. I’m a huge fan of Alan and I wanted to work with Adam again, so it’s the complete package.”

What drew him to George III? “Despite his insistence on court etiquette he was really a man of the people and knew what he was doing. He had an eye on the future. The destruction and disintegration of that I find very exciting and also very moving.

“I think it’s an under-examined period of our history. A very underrated king, a fascinating political climate—you can draw all sorts of fascinating parallels to our own environment and I think it’s very funny and a brilliant night out.”

Scarborough won an Olivier Award in 2011 for best supporting actor in the National Theatre revival of After the Dance by Terence Rattigan. He also played Fool in the National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s King Lear in 2014 and George in Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic in 2012.

He said, “I think Dr Willis is rather fascinating—I’ve always been very interested in the psychology of monarchs and the play also gives an insight into talking therapy, which I’m interested in.

“It’s written by Alan Bennett who’s a wonderful writer. It’s a very funny, moving and fascinating play that explores the nature of mental illness, showing that we’re all human, even kings.”

The rest of the cast comprises Debra Gillett as the Queen, Nicholas Bishop (Prime Minister), Wilf Scolding (Prince of Wales), Harry Kershaw (Duke of York), Sara Powell (Lady Pembroke), Nadia Albina (Captain Fitzroy), Jack Holden (Captain Greville), Amanda Hadingue (leader of the opposition Charles Fox), Stephanie Jacob (Sheridan), Louise Jameson (Dr Warren), Andrew Joshi (Lord Dundas), Billy Postlethwaite (Braun), Jessica Temple (Papandiek), David Hounslow (Thurlow) and Adam Karim (Fortnum).

Penford directs. Designer is Robert Jones and lighting designer is Richard Howell. Tom Gibbons is sound designer. Movement director is Lizzi Gee and Jonathan Holby is fight director.

The Madness of George III runs at Nottingham Playhouse from Friday 2 until Saturday 24 November. It will be broadcast to cinemas across the globe as part of National Theatre Live on Tuesday 20 November.

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