King Charles III

Queen Elizabeth is dead. After a lifetime of waiting, her son ascends the throne. A future of power. But how to rule?

Mike Bartlett’s controversial ‘future history play’ explores the people beneath their crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family.

Drawing on the style and structure of a Shakespearean history play, King Charles III opened in 2014 at London’s Almeida Theatre, directed by Rupert Goold, before transferring to the West End.

The play went on to win Best New Play at both the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards and the Olivier Awards. It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Theatre Award.

This special edition of the play includes a foreword by the journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow, an afterword by the playwright, and an essay about the original production.