Charles III on PBS, BBC

[bumbershoot]

The play was shown tonight on PBS, right after ``Call the Midwife.''  I have to say that the language was brilliant, in my opinion, downright Shakespearean. And I think it was well cast, particularly Tim Pigott-Smith, who played Charles. I won't give away the ending, but I will say it was a bit of a surprise to me.

Frankly, I don't think William or Kate -- particularly Kate -- is capable of the kind of scheming we saw exhibited in the play. There's a line in the play in which Kate tells Charles that the column inches -- i.e. of newsprint -- they occupy weighs things in their favor and that her obsession with fashion is part of her duty.

I would be curious about whether any of the subjects of the play have actually seen it. I suppose, since it aired on the Beeb May 10, that they could have watched it in the privacy of their own homes.

Did anyone else see it. If so, what did you think?

[Ellie]

I haven't seen it but the reviews are good. Kate as a genius manipulator and schemer makes me laugh, though the initial plot regarding Charles not wanting to give royal assent to a bill restricting freedom of speech and press seems in-character.

Doesn't it promote the idea that Harry is not Charles's son and he's with some sleazy American?

I'm going to try to get my hands on it.

[editorathome]

ITA that the blank verse was brilliant and Kate as a genius manipulator totally laughable. There was a lot of "meat" to it and I missed some things, will have to watch again. I know a lot was cut from the actual stage play, will have to ask a friend who saw it in London.

[A Citizen not a Subject]

I saw it on the BBC last week and I thought it was excellent. Tim Pigott-Smith is always brilliant in everything, and it was really sad when he passed away last month.

Without giving too much away, it explores the idea of a monarch not wanting to sign a bill passed by Parliament into law. It's really well done, I'd recommend it.

PS in answer to Ellie's question, the Hewitt question is put to Harry, but quickly dismissed. It's not a big thing in the play, unlike the appearance of a certain ghost.

[jolene]

I'm late to the game and finally saw this after a friend recommended it. It's funny that the same guy who plays Harry also plays him in "The Windsors." LOL

I don't see the Cambridges in any hurry to be the top banana.

[wisdomheaven]

I saw the stage production so I am curious to see this version. I missed it when it aired on PBS.

The stage production was so very well done.

[AutumnOpal]

I'm late to the game and finally saw this after a friend recommended it. It's funny that the same guy who plays Harry also plays him in "The Windsors." LOL

I don't see the Cambridges in any hurry to be the top banana.

Yeah they don't necessarily want to be on top, too much work.  They just want access to the $$.

[Olya]

I saw the stage production so I am curious to see this version. I missed it when it aired on PBS.

The stage production was so very well done.

The film is very well done too, and interestingly as well, as it is like you're watching a theatre production! Worth watching.

[jolene]

I'm late to the game and finally saw this after a friend recommended it. It's funny that the same guy who plays Harry also plays him in "The Windsors." LOL

I don't see the Cambridges in any hurry to be the top banana.

Yeah they don't necessarily want to be on top, too much work.  They just want access to the $$.

Agree. That's why I don't think they are in any hurry. Weren't some of the actors also in the stage production? I thought the ghost of Diana thing was weird.

[rosella]

I loved Charles III even if they did give Kate a touch of the Lady Macbeth's. Funny, I thought the Diana ghost suited the theme of the film.