King Charles III

The Queen is dead. Long live the King. That is King Charles III. After decades as “king in waiting,” Prince Charles ascends to the throne. His first official act: to rubber-stamp Parliament’s bill restricting freedom on the press, but Charles III refuses in a provocative act of conscience. England is thrown into crisis, absurdly escalating with tanks guarding the palace gates. Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry — even Princess Diana — all play roles in this “imaginary future history.”

Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for best new play, playwright Mike Bartlett artfully invokes the pomp and prose of Shakespeare’s greatest works. Associate artistic director Gary Griffin, who recently directed the Broadway sensation Honeymoon in Vegas, returns to the Chicago Shakespeare stage for his 23rd production.