Picture Charles III, risen to the throne after a lifetime of waiting, ready to be consulted and give his advice on affairs of state, finding his views ignored and being unwilling in good conscience to give royal assent to a bill to regulate the press.
Yes, credulity is stretched somewhat – a Labour Prime Minister – from Wales at least, not Scotland. An oily Tory opposition leader shamelessly encouraging and denouncing the king (who would have guessed that?). But it is hard to resist suspending disbelief for the cause of having such fun with our beloved royals. In a semi-Shakespearean language and style, Kate Middleton channels Lady Macbeth, and the ghost of Princess Diana channels the three witches; tanks appear on the palace lawn and Harry, in a hoodie, falls in love with a stunningly articulate republican commoner with scandals to her name.
It won’t happen of course, but you can picture it: Charles’ conception of duty being so different to that of his mother. He cares too much about his causes – here the freedom of the press, though they have been no friend to him. We do not know the royals at all, so it may easily ring true.
A Constitutional crisis arising from uncertainty over which royal prerogatives are symbolic? Ridiculous, yes, but perhaps it is Elizabeth II’s triumph that it seems ridiculous. There is a sense of unfinished business for me about our constitution. And while adopting the written constitution of a grown-up country is eminently the rational thing to do, it is hard to do incrementally which is still the better way to change a constitution.
This play by Mike Bartlett runs in Sheffield until 6 Feb, then visits Brighton, Oxford, Cheltenham, Manchester and Norwich. Thoroughly recommended.
* Joe Otten was the candidate for Sheffield Heeley in June 2017 and Doncaster North in December 2019 and is a councillor in Sheffield.
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7 Comments
Looks interesting. I can’t claim to have anything near the knowledge of a constitutional expert, but if we look at the constitution, “uncodified” rather than “unwritten” as I have read, then it seems the Monarch still has considerable powers.
Recent history also shows that support for the Monarchy will not necessarily boil down to left versus right and will depend on the positions they take. Centuries ago it often depended on religion.
During the French revolution people drew up a new constitution, outside of any legal processes, which they forced others, through violence, to accept. They did go back temporarily to a constitutional monarchy/emperor several times, but the lessons are that authority doesn’t just come from constitutions and that this is not a simple left versus right issue.
Joe , not sure about “we do not know the royals at all “. I think we not only know a lot about them , I , for one , increasingly like what I know . The play sounds daft , in that it , from the article , above , has a plot not rooted in reality but, in part , stupidity , the bits about Princess Kate , just silly ,as described , and on Princess Diana ,rather tasteless .I would be happy to admit I find comedy about wonderful individuals who left this world tragically young ,pointlessly so ! As someone , to some extent , involved in satire , it is better when it is heightened reality , not so much believable , as not farcical .Farce is better as a satire of the every day , rather than of the powerful . Hence , Fawlty Towers , on the every day , is one that worked terrifically , Primary Colours, on the powerful , in its way very good , too . On what Eddie says re power and monarchy , I am never worried about this in Britain , for such things are pure speculation. Again ,the reality is different . The family we have as our monarchy are so well trained , responsible and dedicated to public service , they know their role . And that is the point . They have a limited and very important role . And limited power of any sort .I have from my twenties to now , in my forties , become , in our country , at least , an enthusiastic Liberal constitutional monarchist .
Well, Joe, didn’t see any acolytes in the bitty film – but each according to their own, as they say – and you can live in hope for the future.
Afraid I don’t share Lorenzo’s affection for a completely irrational hereditary system…. and there are plenty examples of interfering nonsense and indiscretions in the history of what the real toffs still call ‘the Germans’. I suppose the fact that one of Prince George and Princess Charlotte have a relative who has a fish and chip shop in Hetton-le-Hole is a bit of a consolation – but I do find the plastic 1950’s Stepford wives a bit unconvincing.
But….politically, if they don’t bother me I won’t bother them. Too much trouble.
A couple of quick points, historically the current queen appears to have had a better relationship with Labour PMs than Tories so anything that misses that would probably be quire unrealistic.
Also I can’t imagine a worse thing to bring a constitutional crisis over, regulating the press. SO we would end up with a constitution that would be obsessed with restricting free speech rather then working out how to give rights. What a horrible mess that would produce.
Joe , would like to know how Robert Powell was in the play , a favourite of mine , undervalued and marvellous in many things. Having approached and worked with two or three similarly fine actors , for a satirical film I am making , funnily enough , i was going to approach Robert Powell to do a cameo as Prince Charles in it , until re orienting the screenplay in a different direction , thought a while back though he could do it , something similar in them both now .Then discovered others obviously thinking along the same lines !
Mike Bartlett is a brilliant writer! I have seen some of his plays (and enjoyed Dr Foster on the TV). I missed King Charles lll in London but I hope to see it at one of these places (or at one of the Broadway performances!)
I too was attracted by the potentially interesting subject matter and went to see it in November in Guildford. Sadly, it was a great disappointment. Don’t bother.