By Jen Corcoran
The King’s Speech reopens tonight (Tuesday 8th October 2025) at 7:30pm at Southport Little Theatre on Hoghton Street.
Heralded director, Margaret Mann, has assembled a fantastic cast featuring several of the Southport Dramatic Club’s highly regarded actors and some wonderful new talent.
The play tells the same story as the 2010 film starring Colin Firth as George VI and Geoffrey Rush as speech therapist Lionel Logue.
In this stage version, the roles are taken by NODA nominee (Best Actor) Andrew Sloman, and NODA winner (Best Actor) Giles Davidson (who Sloman directed in last year’s acclaimed “Breaking the Code” about Alan Turing).
This moving historical drama is set in the latter half of the 1930s when the country was in turmoil with war on the horizon, and so was the royal family. King George V had died and his eldest son, Edward, had ascended the throne in early 1936, however, by the end of that year he had given it all up.
His younger brother, George, was married to Elizabeth who would later be better known as The Queen Mother for much of the 20th century – he was unprepared for the role of king and even more concerned about what the advent of technology held in store.
George had a stammer, and the world now expected to hear him on the wireless, and this is where Logue came in.
David Seidler wrote this piece, having a connection with it as he also had a stammer. It received the approval from the Queen Mother, but only to be produced after she had passed away. The story was snapped up by Hollywood and many of you will have seen the film.
The stage version has been in the best possible hands. Margaret Mann has a keen eye for detail, impeccable standards, and the wisdom and experience to bring out the best from her team with strong guidance and empathy.
The opening weekend has been a hit with audiences – presenting it live adds to the atmosphere and brings out the intimacy of the relationships as well as allowing the tension to build all around.
For cast interviews and audience reviews, visit the Southport Little Theatre Facebook and Instagram pages.
Tickets can be booked online or via in person box office which is open 11am-1pm and 6pm-7:30pm.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
