Play review: Springwood

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Christine Simpson reviews the portrayal of stammering in the play Springwood, currently showing at Hampstead Theatre, London, about a pivotal meeting between King George VI and President Roosevelt. 

It is summer 1939, just before the start of World War II. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (King Charles's grandparents) are visiting the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). The play tells the story of that meeting where George VI was trying to persuade the US to support the UK in the impending war. 

I wanted to see this play particularly as it featured George VI, a person who stammered. I hoped the King would be shown stammering as it is always good to see a stammer represented. The play shows the relationship that develops between George VI, whose nickname is Bertie, and FDR. The actor playing Bertie, Andrew Havill, manages a convincing stammer, but what is really interesting is the comparison of Bertie's stammering with FDR's polio which had started some years before. 

A pivotal scene in the play shows the President, played by Robert Lindsay, attempting to put Bertie at his ease about his stammer. Bertie is having an important conversation, with notes on what he should say, to try to convince FDR to support Britain and Europe in the imminent war (it began only a couple of months after). Naturally the importance of this means Bertie is stammering more than usual. FDR reveals the extent of his disability from polio which wasn't widely known at the time. He also says people don't mention his legs, they are never referred to. The point he makes is that they both are more aware of it than their voters/subjects, who "see what they want to see". Interesting way of looking at it. The two men bond, and of course we know the US did join the war, after Pearl Harbour two years later.

Bertie resents the way he has been catapulted into being King, forced to do this by the abdication of his brother Edward VIII. His speeches about how he doesn't feel good enough due to the stammer, and the popularity of his brother, resonated with me and I'm sure will with many other stammerers.

I recommend this play. It does reflect on the stammering experience thoughtfully, without too many clichés. It brings that experience to a general audience who may not get this information any other way. Also, all through the play the playwright/director Richard Nelson gives subtle nudges to compare the situation in 1939 with the present day, eg King Charles's visit to the White House and the royal brothers split by an American divorcee. 

The play is based on the 2012 film Hyde Park on Hudson, currently available to watch on Amazon Prime and written by the same author; worth a look as many people will not be able to get to Hampstead.

Springwood is playing at the Hampstead Theatre in London until the 25^th July. Visit Hampstead Theatre's website to buy tickets.