The Madness of George III
By Alan Bennett
By special arrangement with Dominie Pty Ltd
Directed by Les Zetlein

Synopsis:  George III's behaviour has often been odd, but now he is deranged, with rumours circulating that he has even addressed an oak tree as the King of Prussia.  Doctors are brought in, the government wavers and the Prince Regent manoeuvres himself into power.  Alan Bennett's play explores the court of a mad king, and the fearful treatments he was forced to undergo.  It is about the nature of kingship itself, showing how by subtle degrees the ruler's delirium erodes his authority and status.

Review ...
"Les Zetlein's generous, humorous production cuts no corners and pays respects to all the concerns of playwright Bennett"
"St Jude's Players is one of the few companies that would be brave enough to bring it to the amateur stage, since it has a huge and busy cast, dozens of scenes, and makes great demands on actors."
"The tiny St Jude's stage is made a universe by Steve Woolman's stylized, abstracted set design."
"In Tony Busch, Zetlein has found a tremendous King George, and gathered a strong cast around him, particularly Peter Davies as the Prince of Wales and David Lockwood as psychiatrist Dr Willis."
Tim Lloyd
The Adelaide Advertiser
May 2003

"Tony Busch, as King George III, delivers one of the finest performances seen on any stage in Adelaide for many years.  The mental, social and political disintegration of a once loved king is painful to observe and Busch pulls no punches as his apoplectic speech, red-faced stutter, constant ravings, blind rage and buckled despair eventually find no voice."
"David Lockwood does a mighty job as the practical physician Dr Willis, who knows the king needs his feet firmly rooted back to earth."
"Isabella Norton and her team's costumes are a triumph, with wigs par excellence from David Page. Adrian Pearce deserves credit for coping with the many light and sound demands of this royally demanding production."
Matt Byrne
Messenger Press
May 2003