The New Zealand premiere of ‘The King’s Speech’, a moving and inspiring drama that brings one of history’s most private struggles into the public eye, opens at The Court Theatre this weekend.
Set against the looming shadow of war, the play follows the extraordinary journey of Bertie, Duke of York, who never expected to be king. When his elder brother abdicated the throne in 1936, Bertie found himself suddenly crowned King George VI. But with the nation on the brink of conflict, his greatest obstacle was not political – it was personal.
A lifelong stammer, made worse by years of strict parenting and public expectation, left him struggling to deliver the one thing Britain needed most: a voice of strength and clarity.
Adapted by David Seidler from his Academy Award-winning film, ‘The King’s Speech’ tells the remarkable story of how Bertie, with the unlikely help of an unconventional Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, overcame his fears to lead his country through one of its darkest hours.
At the heart of this production is Jason Hodzelmans, taking on the role of Bertie. Known to Christchurch audiences for ‘Titus’ and ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris’, Hodzelmans aims to capture both the vulnerability and resilience of a monarch wrestling with his most human weakness.
Opposite him, Cameron Douglas plays Lionel Logue, the spirited and witty therapist whose methods tested royal patience but ultimately unlocked the king’s voice. Douglas, a familiar presence at The Court, brings his trademark mix of humour and heart to the role, making the pair’s onstage chemistry the emotional core of the play.
The cast features an impressive line-up of Court regulars and guest artists, including Amy Straker as Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother), James Kupa as Winston Churchill, Cameron Clayton as Archbishop Cosmo Lang, Olly Humphries as David, Prince of Wales, Matt Hudson as King George V, Emma Newborn as Myrtle Logue, and Hillary Moulder as Wallis Simpson.
Guiding the production is director Benjamin Kilby-Henson (‘Strictly Ballroom’, ‘Something Rotten!’), with a creative team including designer Daniel Williams, costume designer Pam Jones, lighting designer Rachel Marlow, and sound designer Matt Short.
For Kilby-Henson, this play speaks to something timeless. “What moves me most about ‘The King’s Speech’ is that it isn’t just about a king – it’s about a man confronting his deepest vulnerability in full view of the world.”
“Bertie’s struggle is profoundly human, and his friendship with Lionel shows us the courage it takes to keep going, even when every word feels impossible,” Kilby-Henson said.
With themes of resilience, leadership, and the power of unlikely friendship, ‘The King’s Speech’ resonates far beyond its royal setting. It is a story that feels just as relevant today as it did in 1936.
