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Backstairs Billy West End

Backstairs Billy 2023

Ages: 14+
Opened: November 7, 2023
Closing: January 27, 2024

Backstairs Billy - 2023 West End History , Info & More

Duke of York's Theatre
St Martin's Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4BG, United Kingdom London WC2N 4BG

Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.

1979. Inside Clarence House, The Queen Mother’s receptions are in full swing and the champagne is flowing. Guiding the proceedings is William ‘Billy’ Tallon, holder of the royal corgis and Her Majesty’s loyal servant.

Outside, strikes are bringing the country to its knees and Britain is on the verge of changing seismically under Margaret Thatcher. These two worlds are about to collide with dizzying consequences… Book your royal appointment today.

__Access Performances__

Captioned: 23rd November 7.30pm

Audio Described: 29th November 7.30pm

BSL: TBC


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Backstairs Billy

Backstairs Billy: Penelope Wilton makes a marvellous Queen Mother in the best royal drama in a decade
10 / 10

Their camaraderie may not have oiled the most crucial wheels of monarchy – as we cut between 1979 and 1952, when Tallon first arrived in the household as a callow youth, it’s made clear that the former Queen Consort is in constant danger of feeling like a spare part. But the energy lavished on enlivening the royal carry-on, against a backdrop of fiscal constraint and revolutionary winds of change, indicates the challenge of perpetuating the institution tout court.

Backstairs Billy review
6 / 10

Grandage’s production has its pleasures. Wilton brilliantly humanises the Queen Mother: tough, beady and remorselessly self-centred beneath her soft, powdery exterior, stewing in genteel displeasure that she’s been sidelined since her husband’s death, and staving off loneliness with gin and pointless chit-chat. Evans is a myopically snobbish, flamboyantly entertaining Billy, with his wicked, gimlet-eyed twinkle and swan-like, gliding efficiency. It is difficult to imagine how it could all be done better. But I’m also not entirely sure why you’d bother.

Save up to 56% on BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans
by Aliya Al-Hassan - January 9, 2024


Tickets from just £15 for Backstairs Billy-saving up to 56%!

Boxing Day Sale: Tickets From £25 for BACKSTAIRS BILLY
by Aliya Al-Hassan - December 29, 2023


Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.

Show Of The Week: Tickets from £30 for BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Luke Evans and Penelope Wilton
by Aliya Al-Hassan - November 27, 2023


Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Ever Decreasing Circles) and Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in Marcelo Dos Santos’ hilarious new comedy Backstairs Billy, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winning director Michael Grandage.

Review: BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Duke of York's Theatre
by Laura Jones - November 8, 2023


As the curtain rises, we’re met with a sea of pink – pink damask walls and heavy pink velvet curtains, with pink and white flowers adorning every available surface. This is the Garden Room at Clarence House (brilliantly designed by Christopher Oram), and the year is 1979.

Review Roundup: BACKSTAIRS BILLY, Starring Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans
by Nicole Rosky - November 8, 2023


Michael Grandage Company just celebrated opening night of Marcelo Dos Santos’ new comedy Backstairs Billy which looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Michael Grandage directs Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as Billy.

Backstairs Billy FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long has Backstairs Billy been running on the West End?
Backstairs Billy opened at the Duke of York's Theatre on Tuesday Nov 07, 2023 and has now been running for 2 months.

Backstairs Billy History

Other Productions of Backstairs Billy

2023   West End
West End

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