Everytime I see that The Madness of King George III is coming to London I am always reminded of the story of when they made it into a film – featuring a brilliant performance by Nigel Hawthorne. They decided to just call it The Madness of King George so that cinema goers didn’t worry about having missed The Madness of King George I and The Madness of King George II.
Anyway, fret not – you’ve missed nothing and David Haig plays the king in question at the Apollo Theatre in London (nearest underground station Piccadilly Circus, nearest hotel Thistle Trafalgar or Le Meridien if you fancy a bit of posh!).
Alan Bennet’s comedy The Madness of King George III concentrates on the monarch’s accomplishments just as much as the attacks of lunacy which has over-shadowed his many successes – possibly not helped by the title of a famous play/film: had it been called “King George III and how he founded the Royal Academy of Arts” I suspect it would not have made it to the hallowed halls of your local Odeon, although admitedly the Royal National Theatre would probably have still run with it!
Anyway it is on for a limited run from 18 January to 31 March 2012.
We have theatre breaks including best seats for most evening and matinee performances. Evening shows are Monday to Saturday and the matinees are on Thursdays and Saturdays only.
The Apollo Theatre itself is a lovely little theatre built in 1901 – very ornate, with eagles and statues – which gives you a proper London theatrical experience… of course this includes small bars and loos but you can always nip round the corner into Soho for a swift pint rather than brave the theatres queues.
For pre or post theatre dinner you are surrounded by a myriad of restaurants – China Town the other side of Shaftesbury Avenue and Soho just behind you almost too much to chose from – but look out for the discounts leaflet you get with your booking confirmation – there may be something of interest in that.
