HELEN Mirren is brilliant as The Queen in ‘The Audience’ at Clayhidon Parish Hall on Friday (March 16).

This smash-hit West End play was originally broadcast live under the National Theatre Live scheme, bringing the best of theatre, opera and ballet to cinemas all over the world.

For more than 60 years Elizabeth II has met each of her Prime Ministers in a private weekly audience at Buckingham Palace – a meeting like no other in British public life. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. Not even to their spouses.

‘The Audience’ breaks this contract of silence – and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister has used these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional – sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive.

“Mirren is  vulnerable and zealous as the very young queen, confronting Winston Churchill,   and then more waspish and even a little wicked as she ages 60 years,” wrote a theatre critic from ‘The Guardian’. “There’s great pleasure in seeing her alter her bearing and manner against each new minister as well as against her equerry.”  And there are lots of miraculously quick costume and wig changes.

‘The Audience’ starts at 7.30pm – doors open at 6pm and, as usual, a licensed bar will be on offer, plus ice cream and snacks.

Tickets priced £8  are available in advance from Lucy Ball 01823 680607 or email lucyball132@btinternet.

com and Val Slabbert 01823 680032 or email [email protected]