“You’re five thousand miles away. You already owe us a fortune from the last war. We won’t see a penny of that any time soon, will we? And so – why don’t we just ignore you and your war?”

★★★★ The Sunday Times
★★★★ The Guardian
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★★★★ Daily Mail
★★★★ Mail on Sunday
★★★★ Ham & High
★★★★★ Morning Star
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★★★★ Broadway World

 

1939. A weekend at a country house. The fate of nations hangs in the balance; King George VI’s single opportunity to convince President Roosevelt to support his country in impending war is seemingly dependent on whether he and his wife can navigate a public picnic with the decorum and dignity expected of royalty. The weekend marks the first ever visit of a British monarch to the United States – can the “special relationship” survive a menu of hot dogs and beer?

The President of the United States and First Lady host the King and Queen of England in this richly observed clash of cultures. While on the precipice of world war and amidst a house with very thin walls, the secrets, self-doubts, fears and indiscretions of two world leaders and their wives spill out.

From Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright and director Richard Nelson (Farewell to the Theatre, Goodnight Children Everywhere), Springwood is a remarkably topical and moving new play that pulls back the curtain on a pivotal meeting where the personal and political entwine.

The cast is led by Robert Lindsay (Prism; My Family) as President Roosevelt and Jemma Redgrave (Octopolis; Silent Witness) as his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. They are joined by Andrew Havill (Drawing The Line; This House, National Theatre) as King George VI and Rebecca Night (‘night, Mother; Prism) as Elizabeth, The Queen.

Based on the Focus Features Film ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’.