Backstairs Billy Tickets

William John Stephenson Tallon RVM played a very special role in the life of the royals. Nicknamed Backstairs Billy, he was a valued member of the Queen Mother's staff at Clarence House. Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans star in this gorgeous comedy play set in 1979, in a Britain where civil unrest was the name of the game, exploring the close relationship between Billy and the Queen Mother. The rest of the cast will be announced nearer the time.

Penelope Wilton plays the Queen Mother and Luke Evans portrays Billy himself in a show that’s so funny the script made them laugh out loud. As Evans said, “It’s just so entertaining and such a joyous story about these two people: the Queen Mother, who was super famous, but also Billy. He was always there and spent most of his life working for her.”

Backstairs Billy theatre tickets take you to a world that has already delighted audiences through a Channel 4 documentary, Backstairs Billy: The Queen Mum's Butler, broadcast in 2009. Tallon was also played by Ian Stark in Tea With The Old Queen by Graham Woolnough, delighting audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012 then at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre. This new play runs at the Duke of York's Theatre from October 2023 to January 2024. 

The Set Designer is Christopher Oram and the Costume Designers are Christopher Oram and Tom Rand. The Lighting Designer is Ryan Day, the Music and Sound designer Adam Cork, and the Wigs, Hair & Makeup Designer Carole Hancock. The Casting Director is Jacob Sparrow. Associate Direction comes from Sophie Drake and the Costume Supervisor is Mary Charlton.

What's the plot of Backstairs Billy?

In 1996 Tallon was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in Silver, and the gold medal in 2001, one of the very few holders of the medal in Gold. It’s the highest award in the lowest grade of the Royal Victorian Order, and represents a significant honour.

The Michael Grandage Company presents this fab new comedy written by Marcelo Dos Santos, examining a pivotal moment in the five decade relationship between the Queen Mother and her most loyal servant. 

As Grandage said, “It is always a great moment to celebrate the birth of a new comedy in the West End and particularly from an important new voice such as Marcelo Dos Santos. I am thrilled to be working again with Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans alongside a cast of twelve other actors as we bring an exciting new play to the stage this autumn and over the Christmas period ahead.”

Who is Backstairs Billy for? 

Backstairs Billy is recommended for people aged 14 or more. 

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