Directed by Broadway's Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot: The Musical, Creative Executive Producer of Ceremonies for the London Olympics), The Audience imagines a series of pivotal meetings between Britain's Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. These encounters are based on the actual conferences Elizabeth II has held weekly with each of her twelve Prime Ministers for sixty years.

In addition to Mirren, who will be playing The Queen, the cast includes Michael Elwyn (The Iron Lady), Haydn Gwynne (Billy Elliot: The Musical), Robert Hardy (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Richard McCabe (Yes, Prime Minister), Nathaniel Parker (The Merchant of Venice), Paul Ritter (The Norman Conquests), Rufus Wright (The 39 Steps), Geoffrey Beevers, Maya Gerber, and Nell Williams.

Mirren is the winner of an Oscar, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, and four Emmy Awards. Her Oscar was received for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's 2006 film The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears. She was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.

The Audience marks National Theatre Live's third partnership with another British theater production.