Backstairs Billy

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Backstairs Billy description

About Backstairs Billy

William John Stephenson Tallon RVM was affectionately known as Billy Tallon or Backstairs Billy. A loyal steward and member of the Queen Mother's staff at Clarence House, his life and times are fascinating. Cheap tickets for Backstairs Billy whisk you into Billy’s world.

Set in 1979, when industrial action was bringing the UK to its knees, the play takes place on the cusp of the seismic social changes brought about by Thatcher. But inside Clarence House it is business as usual for the Queen Mother and Billy, as the champagne flows and the parties carry on long and late. What happens when the two worlds begin to collide? Come and see.

What's the story of Backstairs Billy?

In 2009 a Channel 4 documentary, Backstairs Billy: The Queen Mum's Butler, was broadcast. Tallon was also portrayed by Ian Stark in Tea With the Old Queen by Graham Woolnough, a brilliant one-man show based on the fictionalised diaries of Tallon, which ran at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012 and moved on to the Jermyn Street Theatre in London. Now Billy is back in a brand new play by Marcelo Dos Santos.

This time around Tallon is played by Luke Evans with Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother. The play explores the relationship between Tallon and his royal employer, directed by Michael Grandage and on at the Duke of York's Theatre from October 2023 until January 2024. Affectionately nicknamed the Queen Mother comedy, it’s a warm-hearted experience you’ll love.

As Luke Evans said, “When I read the script, it made me giggle out loud so hard. It’s just so entertaining and such a joyous story about these two people: the Queen Mother, who was super famous, but also Billy. He was always there and spent most of his life working for her.”

Billy Tallon was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in Silver in 1996 and the Gold medal in 2001, having received his 50-year Service Clasp earlier that year. He’s one of the very few to be honoured with the award, a clear sign of the respect and affection he had for the Queen Mother, and of hers for him.

Who is starring in Backstairs Billy?

Penelope Wilton plays the Queen Mother. Her theatre work includes Taken at Midnight, for which she won the Olivier Award for Best Actress. A Delicate Balance, Heartbreak House, Hamlet, The Family Reunion, The Chalk Garden, John Gabriel Borkman, The Little Foxes, The Collection, The Lover, A Kind of Alaska and many more roles have sealed her reputation as a National Treasure. She has also played myriad roles on TV to great acclaim.

Luke Evans plays Billy, back on stage after a fifteen year absence. His TV roles include Echo 3, Nine Perfect Strangers, Pembrokeshire Murders, The Angel of Darkness, The Grand Tour, The Alienist, and The Great Train Robbery, with many movie roles including Good Grief, Our Son, Pinocchio, Crisis, Murder Mystery, Angel of Mine, Midway, Anna, MA, State Like Sleep and more.

The rest of the cast will be announced nearer the time.

Who is on the Backstairs Billy creative team?

The Set Designer is Christopher Oram and the Costume Designers are Christopher Oram and Tom Rand. The Lighting Designer is Ryan Day, the Music and Sound designer Adam Cork, and the Wigs, Hair & Makeup Designer Carole Hancock. The Casting Director is Jacob Sparrow. Associate Direction comes from Sophie Drake and the Costume Supervisor is Mary Charlton.

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Playing at Duke of York's Theatre (venue info)

Performance Times for Backstairs Billy