Comedy/Drama (George IV, Prince of Wales)

King George IV (Richard E. Grant) and his earthy German wife, Caroline (Susan Lynch), whose 1794 arranged marriage of fiscal convenience (to benefit indulgent, free-spending George) is a mismatch from the start. In this grand script by Stanley Price, at least, their tragically cold and distant relationship yields biting humor and commentary on the manners of the age, as George spends nearly the entire marriage trying to extricate himself from it, even as Caroline initially seeks to win acceptance by him and his pompous court. Their bawdy, rambunctious conduct and intense rivalry and bitterness, swelling to a climactic courtroom battle, are described in a droll narration by Ian Richardson.

For extravagantly perfumed and wardrobed George, it’s nausea at first whiff when meeting the unfragrant, unglamorous woman he has reluctantly agreed to marry in hopes of reducing his massive debts. The wedding rites, with George all red-eyed and tipsy, are especially funny. As is much of what follows, thanks also to the crafty work of Lynch and especially Grant (ever the superb farceur) and the ease with humor by director Sheree Folkson. All earn credit for this sly royal blast.

Best REG scene: Where REG and his estranged wife meet in a large hall and speak coldly to each other for the last time, as one stands on the black floor tiles, and one stands on the white floor tiles.