Out of Joint, Hampstead Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions present

KING OF HEARTS by Alistair Beaton

“Farcical-radical-topical-hysterical – Alistair Beaton’s new play is political satire at its best, poisonously funny, a brilliant distorting mirror held up to our nature… Beaton has a crazed but realistic imagination, an awesome talent for the killer joke, and a finger firmly attached to the pulse of the nation. It could run until the next general election”
John Peter, Sunday Times

“A funny, silly, innovative, provocative farce. It forces debate about Anglican establishment, the powers of monarchy and Prime Minister, and the acceptability of Muslims. How would Britain really feel about a Muslim marrying our sovereign? There are some lovely touches. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Roddy Maude-Roxby) is a sweet ditherer who keeps talking about ‘how hard it is to know what is right and wrong’. The Lord Chamberlaine (superbly disdainful Alister Cameron): ‘I thought that was your job’… This is a sparky evening”
Quentin Letts, Daily Mail

“What might happen if a fictional royal heir rather similar to Prince William should fall in love with a hajib-wearing Muslim? Beaton is a talented humorist, touching on important topics… Belly laughs, a sharp production and strong performances throughout”
Guy Adams, Independent

“A breath of fresh air – a very clever, comic device to raise questions about contemporary Britain, in ways that are funny - really refreshing.”
Steve Richards, Radio 4 Front Row

“an orgy of Machiavellian manoeuvring… Good, caustic jokes and a vintage comic performance from Roddy Maude-Roxby”
Michael Billington, Guardian

“beautifully cast and extremely well directed – as the two princes newcomers Ben Righton and Christian Brassington are extremely good”
Michael Coveney, Whatsonstage.com

“extremely funny - the laughs come thick and fast... Justin Salinger, who has spent so long as a really talented supporting actor at the National, finally steps centre-stage. He acquits himself superbly”
Philip Fisher, British Theatre Guide

“engaging new satire… It raises several important questions – whether the Church and State should be disestablished; the hypocrisy entrenched within much of the official debate over multiculturalism; the very real clash between opposing notions of sexual and religious tolerance… Ramin gray and Max Stafford-Clark’s cast have plenty of fun parodying familiar faces”
Claire Allfree, Metro

“The Prime Minister, Justin Salinger’s Nick, is a dishonest opportunist with a foul mouth. The opposition leader, Jeff Rawle’s Stephen, is dim, credulous and malleable. So look at the front benches of 2007 and take your pick. Like Beaton’s splendidly satirical Feelgood, King of Hearts is at it’s best when it’s dealing with the manipulations that occer out of the public gaze. And Nick is funniest when he’s cannily, then desperately, reacting to revelations that force him into the reverse gear our own prime minister says he doesn’t posess”
Benedict Nightingale, The Times

“This production is, as one might expect, clever, witty and thought-provoking. The quality of the writing and the acting cannot be faulted… perfect comic timing shines through”
Farnham Herald

“Not just a winner but one of the best productions I’ve seen in a long time. All the ingredients for a farce but this isn’t a farce. It’s a comedy and a very good one. It makes you laugh while addressing important contemporary issues.”
Surrey Advertiser

“The cast have a field day… Extremely, and challengingly, funny, King of Hearts is a glorious romp through the shattered wreckage of society’s ideals. Thoroughly worth it”
The Daily Info, Oxford

“funny and disturbing in equal measure, exactly as a good piece of satire should be”
The Oxford Mail

“lots of laughs”
The Oxford Times