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Prince Charles as king in new play


A new play looking ahead to when Britain’s Prince Charles becomes King of England will open in London this year.

The production – called ‘King Charles III’ – is written by Oxford playwright Mike Bartlett and will be staged at the Almeida Theatre, in North London, in April.

Although full details of the play are yet to be announced, it will be directed by Rupert Goold, who worked with Bartlett on ‘Earthquakes in London’ at the National Theatre in 2010.

It will Goold’s first full season as the Almeida artistic director and the royal production has been described as a ‘future history play’, focusing on the time after Queen Elizabeth’s death, when her son ascends to the throne.

It will imagine the difficulties he encounters after so many decades as an heir and the how he deals with the loss of his mother.

Casting for the main role of Prince Charles has yet to be announced.

Goold first took over the role at the Almeida in September last year, and the theatre’s two recent productions – ‘Chimerica’ and ‘Ghosts’ – have had successful runs and been transferred to the West End.

The 65-year-old prince, who is married to Duchess Camilla, has recently taken on more responsibility from his 87-year-old mother, who has had to cut down her number of official visits overseas.

‘King Charles III’ will run from April 3 to May 31.