Kristin to reign as the monarch in hit West End play

The play, inspired by the private weekly meetings between the monarch and Britain’s prime ministers – 12 in all – over her six-decade reign, is returning to London in April. Dame Helen’s performance in the role made it one of the hottest tickets in London’s theatreland and producers will be hoping for a repeat performance when the show opens at the Apollo Theatre.

The new London version will include scenes with former Labour prime minister Tony Blair who did not feature in the original. Dame Helen’s Broadway performances start in February and are expected to run until June.

The West End is also welcoming another show next year with a musical version of the film, Bend It Like Beckham. The stage version of the film, which starred Keira Knightley in the story of a female football team, will start in May and feature music by Bafta-winning composer Howard Goodall.

Gurinder Chadha, who co-wrote and directed the film, said: “I believe we are presenting a totally new kind of musical – part West End, part London Punjabi, but whole-heartedly British.”