Anne Reid and Caroline Quentin to star in world premiere of Daisy Goodwin’s BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

The world première of By Royal Appointment – the debut play of Daisy Goodwin, creator of hit ITV historical drama Victoria, has been announced, opening at Theatre Royal Bath on 5 June before touring.

Directed by Dominic Dromgoole, Anne Reid and Caroline Quentin will star this new play, which explores the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her Dresser, and how the pair created the public image of the world’s longest reigning monarch.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her discretion. She never said anything in public that could ruffle the lightest of feathers. But she had one way of expressing what she really thought – through her wardrobe.

By Royal Appointment is a funny, poignant and celebratory new play about the kind of power that only a Queen can wield – she charms the world through coats and admonishes her family through a carefully chosen hat. But the Queen herself is uninterested in fashion, her look is managed by her Designer, her Milliner and most powerful of all, her Dresser who was a working-class girl who goes from advising the Queen on the colour of her lipsticks to the real power behind the throne. But the Dresser, like all royal favourites is living on borrowed time.

By Royal Appointment is a behind the scenes peek into the world of our most popular monarch and the image she presented to the world.

Following Bath, By Royal Appointment will visit Cheltenham, Leeds, Malvern, Southampton and Guildford.

Further casting and venues will be announced shortly.