Overview

Synopsis

Prince Charles has spent his lifetime in a state of waiting. Since he was four years old, Charles has watched his father and mother rule, studied history, read, learned, and contemplated the type of king that he would become. Still, he has never had a chance to rule -- until now. In Mike Bartlett’s daring new play, King Charles III, the erstwhile prince finally receives his chance to ascend the British throne and rule. His idealism is put to the test almost immediately after his mother’s death. A new law has been passed by Parliament that will severely limit the freedom of press. The time has come for the king to sign off on the law, as tradition dictates, but Charles will not. He believes that it is his job as king to protect the rights of his people. Parliament sees this as a dogmatic violation the rights of his people. A political standoff ensues, one that causes the entire country to rethink the role of their sovereign, the freedom of press, the power of their elected officials, and idealism in a contemporary political landscape. Written in masterful blank verse, this Olivier award-winning “future” history play challenges the audience: what sway do ideals hold in the modern political world?

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
2014
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
london, england, the near future
Cast Size
large
Ideal For
professional theatre, regional theatre, university / college theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Charles III

Lead

Male

Spoken

William, Duke of Cambridge

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Catherine (Kate), Duchess of Cambridge

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Prince Harry

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Jess Evans

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Supporting

Female

Spoken

James Reiss

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mr. Evans

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mr. Stevens

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Cootsy

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Spencer

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sarah

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Ghost

Featured

Female

Spoken

Paul

Featured

Male

Spoken

Free-Newspaper Woman

Featured

Female

Spoken

Speaker of the House

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Sir Gordon

Featured

Male

Spoken

Sir Michael

Featured

Male

Spoken

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Featured

Male

Spoken

Clive

Featured

Male

Spoken

Nick

Featured

Male

Spoken

Terry

Featured

Male

Spoken

Television Producer

Featured

Female

Spoken

Monarchist Supporter

Ensemble

Female

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    The formal renouncement of power, often used in historical or political plays to explore authority and legacy.

    Unrhymed iambic pentameter used extensively in English Renaissance drama, particularly by Shakespeare.

    A dramatic genre that dramatizes historical events, especially English history, as seen in Shakespeare’s plays.

    A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, widely used in English Renaissance drama by playwrights like Shakespeare.

    A fee paid to authors or rights holders for the performance of their work. Royalties ensure compensation for creative content in professional and amateur productions.

    Structured poetic lines used in classical theatre, especially Shakespeare, often following specific metrical patterns like iambic pentameter.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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