Jason Donovan To Star In King's Speech 2015 Tour

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Jason Donovan as Lionel Logue and Raymond Coulthard as King George VI. Photo: Hugh Glendinning The King’s Speech – the play from which the Oscar-winning movie that starred Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush was adapted – will set out on its first national tour in 2015.

Starring Raymond Coulthard as King George VI and Jason Donovan as his Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, the production will be directed by Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director Roxana Silbert. The production opens at Chichester Festival Theatre on Thursday 5 February 2015.

Following the success of Priscilla - Queen Of The Desert, Jason Donovan said: ‘I am really looking forward to starting rehearsals for The King’s Speech and getting into the character of Logue. He was such an interesting and remarkable Australian, who achieved so much in a very challenging situation and I think he will be fascinating to play.’

The play tells the iconic story of King George VI’s relationship with his speech therapist, as the country stands on the brink of World War II. It enjoyed an acclaimed, through brief West End season in 2012.

1936: King Edward VIII has abdicated for the love of Wallis Simpson. Bertie, his brother, is crowned King George VI of England.

At an office in Harley Street in London, Bertie and his wife Elizabeth (the future much-loved Queen Mother) are meeting Australian maverick speech therapist and failed actor, Lionel Logue.

With the support of his wife, Bertie and Logue embark on an extraordinary journey to overcome his stammer and deliver the now iconic speech broadcast across the globe to inspire his people.

As the world stood against the Nazi threat, The King’s Speech is the true and heart-warming story of a greatly loved royal family who took this nation through its darkest hour. One of the most successful British films of all time, The King’s Speech won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director, as well as seven BAFTAs, including Best Film. Raymond Coulthard plays King George VI. His extensive theatre credits include most recently Heartbreak Hotel at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Heresy of Love and Measure for Measure for the RSC and Women Beware Women at the National Theatre. On televison, he is best known for playing the role of Miles Egerton in ITV’s Mr Selfridge on ITV and played James Schofield in Hotel Babylon on BBC. He Said: "Having been away from theatre for a couple of years I was hoping to find a project that would truly challenge me. I think it is safe to say I have found it!”