Windsors: Endgame writer says royal family are ‘gift that keeps on giving’
The writer of the new West End adaptation of Channel 4 sitcom The Windsors has said the on-going drama in the royal family means now is the “perfect time” to bring the family to the stage.
Bert Tyler-Moore, the co-writer of both the popular television series and play Windsors: Endgame which opened in the West End on Tuesday said the royals were the “gift that keeps on giving” for scriptwriters.
Tyler-Moore, who is also behind shows Pete Versus Life starring Rafe Spall, said the national “obsession” with the House of Windsor showed “no sign of going away” meaning now was the time to bring them to the West End.
He told the Standard: “It is totally the perfect time. There is always something happening [with the royal family]. And people are obsessed with them. The royals are just a gift that keeps on giving. I thank god we had the idea to create a series out of them because they are always in the news, something is always happening. They will not go away. And hopefully, neither will our show.”
Launched in 2016, sitcom The Windsors starring Harry Enfield, Louise Ford and Hugh Skinner, is now in its third series. Plans to transfer the show to Prince of Wales Theatre in the heart of the West End were in progress for more than a year.
Comedian Enfield reprises his role as Prince Charles in the play, with Tracy-Ann Oberman playing Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Ciarán Owens plays Prince William and Kara Tointon, Duchess Kate. Tom Durant-Pritchard plays Prince Harry and Crystal Condie, Duchess Meghan.
Jenny Rainsford is Beatrice, Eliza Butterworth Eugenie and Tim Wallers reprises his small screen role of Prince Andrew. Sophie-Louise Dann portrays his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. It is directed by Michael Fentiman, who has previously worked on productions of Amelie and Cinderella.
But the stage show almost didn’t happen after the unexpected death of Tyler-Moore’s long-term writing partner George Jeffrie in September 2020.
Speaking about writing the show, Tyler-Moore said “It is mad it is even happening. Not only because of everything with Covid, but my writing partner died. So not only did that add another layer of extreme sadness, but it added to the fact it is mad that we even got it to the stage, let alone the West End.
“[The show] is totally an example of his legacy. The show is everything he would have wanted it to be. I hope we have made him proud. We wanted to make it a proper play and not just a couple of episodes stitched together. It is definitely reminiscent of the series, and fans won’t be disappointed, but it is a play in its own right.”
Speaking about Fentiman, Tyler-Moore added: “After the first meeting with him, I knew we would be in safe hands with him. He really got the show.”
The writer said audiences in previews had been “really enjoying” watching live theatre - after a period of enforced closure due to the Covid pandemic.
“In the previews, it just feels like people are really enjoying being back in the theatre. Also, the show is a good laugh, it is good fun.”
The Windsors: Endgame runs at the Prince of Wales Theatre until October 9.
Read More
Theatres must do more to attract black audiences, says star
London’s e-scooter trial expands to the West End
The Lion King cast ‘ecstatic’ ahead of show’s West End reopening
