Alan BennettAlan Bennett„The Madness of George III“ 1991„The Madness of George III“ 1991

&&„The Madness of King George“ 1994„The Madness of King George“ 1994

ContentContent

On Alan Bennett: the topic of George IIIOn Alan Bennett: the topic of George IIIThe plotThe plotThe charactersThe charactersComparison stage/screen playComparison stage/screen playThe art of “seeming”The art of “seeming”Comedy or tragedyComedy or tragedyA political dimension?A political dimension?A history playA history play

Alan BennettAlan BennettBorn in Leeds 1934Born in Leeds 1934Leeds Modern SchoolLeeds Modern SchoolNational Service (Joint Services National Service (Joint Services Language Course in Russian at Language Course in Russian at Cambridge)Cambridge)Student and junior lecturer in Student and junior lecturer in Modern History at Exeter Modern History at Exeter College, OxfordCollege, OxfordMember of the revue “Beyond Member of the revue “Beyond the Fringe” 1962the Fringe” 1962--6464Living in Yorkshire and LondonLiving in Yorkshire and London“England’s best loved “England’s best loved playwright”playwright”

WorksWorksTen stage playsTen stage playse.g. Forty Years On, The Old e.g. Forty Years On, The Old Country, Enjoy, The Madness of Country, Enjoy, The Madness of George IIIGeorge IIIThree screen playsThree screen playsA Private Function, Prick up your A Private Function, Prick up your ears, The Madness of King ears, The Madness of King GeorgeGeorgeEight television documentariesEight television documentariese.g. Dinner at Noon, The Abbeye.g. Dinner at Noon, The AbbeyOver thirty plays for televisionOver thirty plays for televisione.g. Me, I’m afraid of Virginia e.g. Me, I’m afraid of Virginia Woolf; Talking Heads (2)Woolf; Talking Heads (2)

The topic of George IIIThe topic of George III„The Royal Malady“ by Charles Trench„The Royal Malady“ by Charles Trench“George III and the Mad Business” by Richard Hunter and Ida “George III and the Mad Business” by Richard Hunter and Ida MacalpineMacalpine

It’s dramatic potential:It’s dramatic potential:SelfSelf--contained, taking place over a relatively short timescalecontained, taking place over a relatively short timescaleHis illness and recovery were suddenHis illness and recovery were suddenPolitical crisisPolitical crisis

First performance: First performance: 28 November 1991 28 November 1991 –– Royal National TheatreRoyal National Theatre

Film release: 1994 (four Academy Award nominations)Film release: 1994 (four Academy Award nominations)

The plotThe plotThe play starts with the royal family assembled and waiting to lThe play starts with the royal family assembled and waiting to leave for the opening eave for the opening of Parliament in 1788. King George III assumes a different demeaof Parliament in 1788. King George III assumes a different demeanour of loving nour of loving father of his family to the father of the nation while dressing.father of his family to the father of the nation while dressing. He and the queen He and the queen discuss the bad physical condition of the Prince of Wales severadiscuss the bad physical condition of the Prince of Wales several times. On his l times. On his return King George is unsuccessfully attacked by the petitioner return King George is unsuccessfully attacked by the petitioner Mrs Nicholson. Mrs Nicholson. The King is presented on the one hand as downThe King is presented on the one hand as down--toto--earth “Farmer George” but also earth “Farmer George” but also as someone strongly sticking to the court conventions, not allowas someone strongly sticking to the court conventions, not allowing a pregnant ing a pregnant woman to sit down. His run into a state of confusion and madnesswoman to sit down. His run into a state of confusion and madness starts with a belly starts with a belly ache and rises to incontinence in speech and behind. The Prince ache and rises to incontinence in speech and behind. The Prince of Wales, eager for of Wales, eager for power, separates him from his wife. Several doctors start to takpower, separates him from his wife. Several doctors start to take care for him in e care for him in their ways. Dr. Baker is counting his pulse, Dr. Warren blisterstheir ways. Dr. Baker is counting his pulse, Dr. Warren blisters him and Dr. Pepys him and Dr. Pepys is very interested in his faeces. Dr. Willis, a Lincolnshire pasis very interested in his faeces. Dr. Willis, a Lincolnshire pastortor--physician, finally is physician, finally is in charge of him and tries to make him control himself with meanin charge of him and tries to make him control himself with means of a s of a straightjacket and a fastening chair. His illness brings all stastraightjacket and a fastening chair. His illness brings all state matters to a halt for te matters to a halt for six months and the Prime minister under pressure to make the Prisix months and the Prime minister under pressure to make the Prince of Wales nce of Wales Regent by Bill of Regency. Both political parties strive to gainRegent by Bill of Regency. Both political parties strive to gain or keep power even or keep power even by jumping on to the successful train as Thurlow. Just in time tby jumping on to the successful train as Thurlow. Just in time the king recovers to he king recovers to “seeming” the king when reading Shakespeare’s “ King Lear”. The “seeming” the king when reading Shakespeare’s “ King Lear”. The play finishes as play finishes as it has started, a royal family standing united and pretending toit has started, a royal family standing united and pretending to be all happy be all happy -- a a restoration of the status quo.restoration of the status quo.

Screen Play Screen Play –– The StructureThe Structure

136 scenes136 scenes11--7: a family man and King, opening of Parliament7: a family man and King, opening of Parliament88--21: the attack, “Farmer George”, state and court business, bel21: the attack, “Farmer George”, state and court business, belly painly pain2222--28: in the park (cricket), Fitzroy reporting, Prince of Wales ea28: in the park (cricket), Fitzroy reporting, Prince of Wales eager for ger for

powerpower2929--39: the early rising, kissing Lady Pembroke, blue piss39: the early rising, kissing Lady Pembroke, blue piss4040--43: the interrupted concert, Dr. Warren in charge of the King43: the interrupted concert, Dr. Warren in charge of the King4444--50: London flooding, flight to the roof, separation from the Que50: London flooding, flight to the roof, separation from the Queenen5151--54: the amputation, the blistering54: the amputation, the blistering5555--57: language disorders, first vote on appointing the Prince Rege57: language disorders, first vote on appointing the Prince Regentnt5858--81: Dr. Willis in charge of the King (straightjacket and fasteni81: Dr. Willis in charge of the King (straightjacket and fastening ng

chair), the King incontinent in speech and behindchair), the King incontinent in speech and behind

Screen Play Screen Play –– The StructureThe Structure8282--99: summer palace Kew, gagging, the Prince’s illegal marriag99: summer palace Kew, gagging, the Prince’s illegal marriagee100100--108: second voting lost, Thurlow changing sides, Bill of Regency108: second voting lost, Thurlow changing sides, Bill of Regency

to be introducedto be introduced109109--114: calming by one look, reading of Shakespeare’s “Lear” (IV,7)114: calming by one look, reading of Shakespeare’s “Lear” (IV,7)115115--129: last129: last--minute arrival at the Houseminute arrival at the House130130--135: all attendants, but Colonel Fitzroy, sacked135: all attendants, but Colonel Fitzroy, sacked136: in front of St Paul’s, happy family136: in front of St Paul’s, happy family

1788 1788 –– time span of 6 monthtime span of 6 monthSetting: Westminster, Kew, House of Commons, Carlton Setting: Westminster, Kew, House of Commons, Carlton

HouseHouse

Characters Characters –– King George IIIKing George III* 4 June 1738 * 4 June 1738 -- † 29 January 1820† 29 January 1820Reign: 25 October 1760Reign: 25 October 1760Suffered from recurrent and Suffered from recurrent and eventually permanent mental eventually permanent mental illness (porphyria)illness (porphyria)Final relapse in 1811Final relapse in 1811Nicknamed “Farmer George” for Nicknamed “Farmer George” for his plain, homely and thrifty his plain, homely and thrifty manners of tastemanners of tasteSmitten with Lady Sarah Lennox Smitten with Lady Sarah Lennox but married Princess Sophia but married Princess Sophia Charlotte of MecklenburgCharlotte of Mecklenburg--StrelitzStrelitz

Characters Characters –– Queen CharlotteQueen Charlotte* 19 May 1744 * 19 May 1744 -- † 17 November 1820† 17 November 1820Married: 8 September 1761Married: 8 September 1761A homely woman, with great interest A homely woman, with great interest in Arts, education and gardeningin Arts, education and gardeningTogether they had 15 childrenTogether they had 15 childrenAfter the onset of George’s illness, he After the onset of George’s illness, he was placed in her supportive carewas placed in her supportive care

Characters Characters –– Prince RegentPrince Regent* 12 August 1762 * 12 August 1762 -- † 26 June † 26 June 18301830Regency marked by a victory in Regency marked by a victory in the Napoleonic Warsthe Napoleonic WarsA stubborn monarch often A stubborn monarch often interfering in politicsinterfering in politicsA poor relationship with both his A poor relationship with both his father and his wife Caroline of father and his wife Caroline of BrunswickBrunswickCharles William Pitt and Charles Charles William Pitt and Charles James Fox disagreed over the James Fox disagreed over the basis of a regency, when the king basis of a regency, when the king wasn’t able to deliver his Speech wasn’t able to deliver his Speech from the Throne in November from the Throne in November 17881788

Characters Characters –– Charles William Pitt the Charles William Pitt the YoungerYounger

* 28 May 1759 * 28 May 1759 -- † 23 January 1806† 23 January 1806Great Britain’s youngest Prime Great Britain’s youngest Prime Minister: 1783Minister: 1783--1801 and 18041801 and 1804--18061806Often referred to as a Tory but always Often referred to as a Tory but always considered himself to be an considered himself to be an “independent Whig”“independent Whig”Sought to eliminate the national debt Sought to eliminate the national debt by imposing new taxesby imposing new taxesArgued that it was for Parliament to Argued that it was for Parliament to nominate a regentnominate a regentSaved by the King’s recovery in Saved by the King’s recovery in February 1789, just after a Regency February 1789, just after a Regency Bill had been introduced and passed in Bill had been introduced and passed in the House of Commonsthe House of Commons

Characters Characters –– Charles James FoxCharles James Fox

* 24 January 1749 * 24 January 1749 † 13 September 1806† 13 September 1806Prominent Whig politicianProminent Whig politicianAntiAnti--slavery campaignerslavery campaignerFormed an alliance of convenience Formed an alliance of convenience with Lord North, known as the Foxwith Lord North, known as the Fox--North Coalition, to regain powerNorth Coalition, to regain powerAmbitions blunted by the effective Ambitions blunted by the effective efforts of George III and they angered efforts of George III and they angered him further with their open support of him further with their open support of the Prince Regentthe Prince Regent

Characters Characters –– ScreenplayScreenplay

Government

William Pitt, Prime Minister

Edward Thurlow, Lord Chancellor

Henry DundasOpposition

Charles Fox Richard Sheridan

Amelia

King George III ∞ Queen Charlotte + Lady Pembroke

George, Prince of Wales Fred, Duke of York 12 others+ Mrs Fitzherbert

Physicians: Sir George Baker, Dr. Richard Warren, Sir Lucas Pepys, Dr. Willis

Equerries: Captain/Colonel Fitzroy, Captain Greville

Pages: Arthur Papandiek, Fortnum, Braun

Black Rod, Speaker, Lady Adam, Amputee, Footmen, Mrs Cordwell, Clergyman, MPs

Margaret Nicholson

Characters Characters –– Stage playStage play

Amelia

King George III ∞ Queen Charlotte + Lady Pembroke

George, Prince of Wales Fred, Duke of York 12 others

Government

William Pitt, Prime Minister

Edward Thurlow, Lord Chancellor

Henry DundasOpposition

Charles Fox Richard Sheridan

+ Mrs Fitzherbert

Edmund Burke+ Mrs. ArmisteadSir Boothby Skymshir / Ramsden Skymshir

Sir Selby Markham

Physicians: Sir George Baker, Dr. Richard Warren, Sir Lucas Pepys, Dr. Willis Dr. Ida MacalpineEquerries: Captain/Colonel Fitzroy, Captain Greville

Pages: Arthur Papandiek, Fortnum, Braun

Black Rod, Speaker, Lady Adam, Amputee, Footmen, Mrs Cordwell, Clergyman, MPs

HoppnerMargaret Nicholson,

Comparison Stage/ScreenplayComparison Stage/ScreenplayCharacters:Characters:

Charles Fox temporarily on a trip to Europe with Mrs. ArmisteadCharles Fox temporarily on a trip to Europe with Mrs. ArmisteadMrs. Fitzherbert is missingMrs. Fitzherbert is missingMPs: MPs: Boothby Skymshir for Berkshire (his nephew Ramsden)Boothby Skymshir for Berkshire (his nephew Ramsden)

Selby Markham for WorcesterSelby Markham for WorcesterMore emphasis on political sphereMore emphasis on political sphereDr. Ida Macalpine: 20th century physician telling the pages aboDr. Ida Macalpine: 20th century physician telling the pages about the ut the

king’s disease, called porphyria, after his recovery king’s disease, called porphyria, after his recovery (only mentioned in a final caption in the film)(only mentioned in a final caption in the film)

Setting:Setting:Limited to the stage Limited to the stage One central flight of stairsOne central flight of stairsVariation with curtains and spotlightsVariation with curtains and spotlights

Comparison Stage/ScreenplayComparison Stage/ScreenplayContent:Content:

Sets in with the attack of Margaret NicholsonSets in with the attack of Margaret NicholsonNo farm tripNo farm tripSigns of becoming mad more in speech (no cricket, or trip to theSigns of becoming mad more in speech (no cricket, or trip to the roof)roof)No interaction between Greville and Lady PembrokeNo interaction between Greville and Lady PembrokeNo scene of Greville in LincolnshireNo scene of Greville in LincolnshireNo Maria Fitzherbert No Maria Fitzherbert –– no illegal marriageno illegal marriageThe King doesn’t come to parliament in personThe King doesn’t come to parliament in personEnds with the “The King is himself again”Ends with the “The King is himself again”Political sphere much more in dialoguePolitical sphere much more in dialogue

Speech: More pointed and shorter dialogues in the movieSpeech: More pointed and shorter dialogues in the movieStructure: 2 Acts Structure: 2 Acts –– 27 Scenes (climax scene 16)27 Scenes (climax scene 16)

The art of “seeming”The art of “seeming”“Thurlow: Your Majesty seems more yourself.“Thurlow: Your Majesty seems more yourself.

King: Do I? Yes, I do. I have always been myself even when King: Do I? Yes, I do. I have always been myself even when I was ill. Only now I seem myself. That’s the important I was ill. Only now I seem myself. That’s the important thing. I have remembered how to seem. What, what?”thing. I have remembered how to seem. What, what?”

Part of the King’s illness consists in his growing inability to Part of the King’s illness consists in his growing inability to sustain sustain performance, because Monarchy is performanceperformance, because Monarchy is performanceWhat seems odd, like the “what, what”, is a sign of normalityWhat seems odd, like the “what, what”, is a sign of normalityIn 1788 the monarch was still the engine of the nation, because In 1788 the monarch was still the engine of the nation, because “an “an ailing king means an ailing government” (21)ailing king means an ailing government” (21)The king as arch pretenderThe king as arch pretender

The art of “seeming”The art of “seeming”Erving Goffman: “The Erving Goffman: “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” 1959Life” 1959

“All the world is not, of course, a “All the world is not, of course, a stage, but the crucial ways in stage, but the crucial ways in which it isn’t are not easy to which it isn’t are not easy to specify”specify”

Core truth of Bennett’s work: His Core truth of Bennett’s work: His belief in the essentially belief in the essentially performative nature of human performative nature of human behaviourbehaviour

Comedy or TragedyComedy or Tragedy“Have you read King Lear? Tragic story. Of course, if that fool “Have you read King Lear? Tragic story. Of course, if that fool of a of a messenger had just got that little bit more of a move on, Cordelmessenger had just got that little bit more of a move on, Cordelia wouldn’t ia wouldn’t have been hanged, Lear wouldn’t have died, and it would all havehave been hanged, Lear wouldn’t have died, and it would all have ended ended happily…which I think would have made a much better ending. Becahappily…which I think would have made a much better ending. Because as use as it is, it’s so damned tragic…”it is, it’s so damned tragic…”

Comedy gives its audience permission to relish characters who beComedy gives its audience permission to relish characters who behave as have as most of us would not dare to. In them we can enjoy the behaviourmost of us would not dare to. In them we can enjoy the behaviour of of characters who we would perhaps prefer or avoid in real life, ancharacters who we would perhaps prefer or avoid in real life, and we can d we can ignore the distress they might cause.ignore the distress they might cause.

George III does not allow us to relax judgement and feeling. FoGeorge III does not allow us to relax judgement and feeling. For the r the audience there is no enjoying the outrageousness.audience there is no enjoying the outrageousness.The result is another of BennettThe result is another of Bennett’’s characteristic tragicomedies.s characteristic tragicomedies.

Is it?Is it?

Comedy or TragedyComedy or Tragedy

…Bennett says:…Bennett says:

“I think in terms of the edge of tragedy and the edge of comedy “I think in terms of the edge of tragedy and the edge of comedy (…) that’s the best place to be”(…) that’s the best place to be”

“I like something that can just tip over from comedy to tragedy “I like something that can just tip over from comedy to tragedy or or comedy to sadness”comedy to sadness”

Q: Is George III comic or tragic?Q: Is George III comic or tragic?B: It’s neither reallyB: It’s neither really

A political dimension?A political dimension?

Fox: I see the King did not write his own

speech, Mr. Pitt.

Pitt: The King will do as he’s told, Mr. Fox.

Queen: George, smile you lazy hound. It’s what you’re paid for. Smile and

wave. Come on, everybody, smile and wave.

King: (…) There is much to do, there is

government…

Papandiek: Government hasn’t begun yet,

sir. Government is still in bed.

Braun: Government is lucky.

Queen: Can we never be solitary?

Queen: … In England always the Prince

hates the King.

Willis: Yes. Do you know, Mr Greville, the

state of monarchy and the state of

lunacy share a frontier.Prince of Wales: But Pa, I want something to do.King: (…) Let them see we are happy! That’s why we are here.

A political dimension?A political dimension?

“Any account of politics whatever the period must throw up “Any account of politics whatever the period must throw up contemporary parallels. I think if I had deliberately made more contemporary parallels. I think if I had deliberately made more of of these it would have satisfied or pandered to some critics who fethese it would have satisfied or pandered to some critics who felt lt that was what the play should have been more about. But it is abthat was what the play should have been more about. But it is about out the madness of George III.”the madness of George III.”

A History PlayA History Play

Historic subjectHistoric subjectThe author’s preoccupation for historyThe author’s preoccupation for history“Like Brecht, he uses historical drama to ask where we are, how “Like Brecht, he uses historical drama to ask where we are, how we we got there, and what we should do next”got there, and what we should do next”By changing history, Bennett can clarify the social an moral By changing history, Bennett can clarify the social an moral offshoots of George’s madnessoffshoots of George’s madnessBoth his timing and his judgement in his handling of the historiBoth his timing and his judgement in his handling of the historical cal record can be flawless.record can be flawless.