A first-look at Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in costume as The Queen Mother and her loyal servant William (Billy) Tallon has been released by the show’s producers, for new comedy Backstairs Billy.
Backstairs Billy is set to play the Duke of York’s theatre from 27 October 2023 to 27 January 2024.
A starry cast includes Dame Penelope Wilton as The Queen Mother, and Hollywood star Luke Evans as her real-life loyal manservant William (Bily) Tallon.
The play is about the true-life story of the Queen Mother and her most loyal servant William Tallon. Their relationship lasted for 50 years, and the play centres on a moment in their lives in 1979, as Margaret Thatcher is set to take to the world stage in British politics. Over at Clarence House, receptions are still in full swing and the champagne is flowing for the Queen Mother and her loyal servant Billy, but the two worlds start to collide with dizzying consequences.
The cast also includes Emily Barber (The Cost of Living), Iwan Davies (The Corn is Green), Ian Drysdale (The Mirror and The Light), Ilan Galkoff (Leopoldstadt), Eloka Ivo (Black Superhero), Michael Simkins (The Unfriend), and Nicole Sloane (A Little Night Music). The cast also features David Buttle, Amy Newton, Keanu Adolphus Johnson, Georgie Rhys and Jacob Ethan Tanner.
Backstairs Billy is directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage (The Policeman, Frozen The Musical), with the wider creative team including Set Design by Christopher Oram; Costume Design by Christopher Oram and Tom Rand; Lighting Design by Ryan Day; Music and Sound design by Adam Cork; Wigs, Hair & Makeup Design by Carole Hancock; Casting Director Jacob Sparrow; Associate Director Sophie Drake; Costume Supervisor Mary Charlton.
Behind-the-scenes rehearsal photos were also released this week.
Backstairs Billy is at the Duke of York’s theatre from 27 October 2023.
Book tickets to Backstairs Billy at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London
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