The rise of Albert, Duke of York, from stammering puddle of self-doubt to global champion in the fight against Nazis is a story with all the right stuff. There’s a scandalous royal romance, a world on the precipice of disaster, and in “Bertie,” an underdog who’s easy enough to root for. In director Michael Wilson’s staging of David Seidler’s drama for Chicago Shakespeare Theater there are also Downton Abbey-worthy period costumes by David C. Woolard and a cast led by Harry Hadden-Paton (Downton‘s Seventh Marquess of Hexham, aka Lady Edith’s husband). Opening the play the same weekend as the Downton movie was a savvy move: Hadden-Paton comes with a built-in publicity bonanza.
Hadden-Paton makes Albert easy to sympathize with—as much as he can. Albert’s insecurities aren’t uncommon, but like most problems, they’re far easier to deal with if one doesn’t also have to worry about things like money or housing and has hundreds of staff on call to do one’s bidding 24/7. And despite the looming menace of a global war, The King’s Speech is strikingly insular. There isn’t a person of color to be found in this version of England, only a brief mention of colonial Africa and New Zealand.
Through 10/20: Wed 1 and 7:30 PM, Thu-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 8 PM, Sun 2 PM; also Tue 10/1, 7:30 PM; Thu 10/17, 1 PM; and Sun 10/13, 6:30 PM, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand, 312-595-5600, chicagoshakes.com, $50-$90.
