WOS Radio: Edwards, Hyde, Ackland & co get Kings speaking at Q&A

Last night (16 April 2012) a hundred Whatsonstage.com theatregoers were on hand at Wyndham’s Theatre for Adrian Noble’s critically acclaimed premiere stage production of David Seidler’s The King’s Speech – and our exclusive post-show Q&A with the cast.

The play which inspired the multi award-winning film stars Charles Edwards as George VI (the role which won Colin Firth an Oscar) alongside Jonathan Hyde as Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (played on screen by Geoffrey Rush).

The pair are joined in the cast by Emma Fielding (Queen Elizabeth), Joss Ackland (George V) and Ian McNeice (Churchill), as well as Charlotte Randle, Michael Feast, Daniel Betts, David Killick, Lisa Baird and Adam Lilley.

Highlights of the lively Q&A discussion included: Charles Edwards’ process of learning to talk with a stammer for the role, Joss Ackland’s recollection of hearing the King’s Speech in 1939, Jonathan Hyde on how being Australian forgives royal indiscretion, the nature of kingship and how to “act royal” (the key is the entourage), differences between the story on stage and screen, the author’s own stammer and the fragility of vintage costumes.

To listen to the full unedited Q&A, which was hosted by Whatsonstage.com managing and editorial Director Terri Paddock, click the ‘play’ button above; or to subscribe and download from iTunes, click here. We also live-tweeted from the event last night. You can scroll through all of our King’s Speech Q&A tweets here.

As always, please feel free to email your comments and thoughts about the play, as well as any of your favourite insights from last night to feedback@whatsonstage.com and don’t forget to tweet using #wosouting! We would love to hear from you.