One of the first productions to be rescheduled at The King’s Head Theatre in Islington is For Queen And Country, the story of Major Denis Rake MC, a gay actor recruited as a spy during World War II. The original production was scrapped as Covid 19 hit.
The Nazi’s weren’t able to defeat Denis but Coronavirus almost did!
Writer and director Paul Stone said, “We’re delighted The King’s Head Theatre have asked us to bring Denis’ story back. The Nazi’s weren’t able to defeat Denis but Coronavirus almost did!”
For Queen And Country was scheduled for a March 2020 opening and was cancelled days before opening. “We’d spent a 14 hour day in final rehearsal only to get a message that evening telling us of the first lockdown. If only we’d been informed in the morning, we’d have been saved a long day’s work and a rehearsal room fee!”
Like many other production companies Issyman Productions took a big financial hit. “As the production was so close to opening we were unable to recoup any of our advertising budget or production costs. We’re so grateful that further financial support from investors has been made available. Luckily many people feel that the contribution of the LGBT+ community during World War II has never been highlighted and have generously allowed us to remount the show.”
For Queen And Country opens at The King’s Head Theatre on 7 November 2021.
