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?
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Key Terms
In theatre and literature, abdication refers to a character formally renouncing power, responsibility, or a throne. This act often triggers major shifts in a story’s conflict and themes. It can symbolize sacrifice, weakness, or transformation depending on the context.
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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