(OUTview NW) RE-view: Seattle Rep's "King Charles III" is a scandalous look at the Royals in the near future!!

William betrays Charles!  (Michael Doucett)

by MK Scott

With the Drama of Shakespeare to a modern day comedy, it all works in Seattle Rep's (co-produced  by American Conservatory Theatre and The Shakespeare Theatre Company) new lavish production of "King Charles III" by Mike Bartlett.

It is nearing, 2022 and Queen Elizabeth II has died after reigning the UK for 70 Years, and Prince Charles is automatically King (without  ceremony) and that is when it gets complicated with hilarious results.

There are numerous times of when an actor has a long monologue in the style of Shakespeare, but in a tone that most people can understand.

Kate encourages Charles to 'Take a Holiday"!  (Michael Doucett)

In the opening scene we see a large cathedral like castle (Designed magnificently by Daniel Ostling)  and the cast is dressed in black singing in a candlelit processional.

Charles (played by 80's heartthrob, Robert Joy) responds to being King and is totally unprepared and too set in his ways,  as did his Grandfather, King George VI, had to step in after his brother, Edward, abdicated.

When Charles (still a Mama's boy) starts to lead a democracy, rather than a monarchy, it is clear Camilla (Jeanne Paulsen) is pulling the strings, it is the Spirit of Diana (played convincingly by Chiara Motley) that resonates the truth.

Meanwhile it is Harry (the adorable, Harry Smith) who wants to break free and be commoner to be with Anti-Royalist (Michelle Beck), with Beck being a person a color we get a "alleged" real life-scenario as he currently has with actress/activist, Meghan Markle.

When old age gets the best of Charles, it is Diana 's spirit (Not Camellia) along with Prince William (played to perfection by Christopher McLinden) and a very ambitious, Kate (Allison Jean White) that can get Charles to do the right thing that could set the stage for the monarchy for the next era.

Even if you are not a Shakespeare fan, you will enjoy a new spin on the scandalous Royal family and how modern times make this a contemporary classic.

Seattle REP's ‘King Charles III”by Mike Bartlett continues through Dec. 18th, click HERE for more Info.