Kevin's Watch

Saw the BBC production of Mike Bartlett's stage play of the same name yesterday and it was undoubtedly controversial stuff, if a bit contrived. The BBC came in for some serious flack for airing this near future story, which concentrates on the troubled accession of Prince Charles to the throne following the Queens demise. Much of the distaste voiced in the media was directed toward a short section in which Prince Harry's paternity is called into question, and the presentation of the Duchess of Kent (Kate - Prince William's wife) as a scheming social climber. Poor Prince Charles is not presented in a terribly good light either, but as a weak indecisive vacilitator whose one stand on an issue he feels strongly about (the freedom of the press) brings about a constitutional crisis which threatens the very existence of the monarchy itself. The various actors perform their roles well with the late Tim Piggot-Smith excelling as the tortured new King, and the drama is gripping stuff even though in reality pretty preposterous. Not worth getting ones hackles up too much (I doubt the Royals did somehow) but certainly worth a watch when it comes to a screen near you.