Show Archive

Tea with the Old Queen

By Graham Woolnough

A one man show revealing the fictional Diaries of Backstairs Billy.

William Tallon, formerly known as “Steward and Page of the Backstairs to the Queen Mother”, was nick-named “Backstairs Billy” as a reference to his sexual preferences rather than the Edwardian entrances and exits used elsewhere in the Palace.

Despite assisting and attending the QM on a daily basis he remained her No.1 fan during forty years of service, a cross between “The Dresser” in Ronald Harwood’s play and the Admiral Crichton. Think of a bouffant, tousled high-camp Hudson and add a large gin and tonic. Ironically Billy was a consultant on Upstairs Downstairs.

Tea with the Old Queen is an intimate portrait of a Royal world from the inside told through Billy Tallon’s Secret Diaries. Rising through the ranks from Boy page to Head of the QM’S Household Billy became the camp conduit through which the show ran. He died a few years after the Queen Mother taking with him all the secrets of that Gilded Caged Court … or so they thought!

William John Stephenson Tallon was born at Birtley, Co Durham. A year later his family fell on hard times and moved to Coventry.

At the age of only 15 he wrote directly to King George VI asking for a position. To his great surprise he was summoned to serve as a junior footman at the Easter Court at Windsor in 1951.

Monday 10^th and 17^th May at 8.00pm

Ticket Prices:

Premium £19.50

Standard £16

Concessions £12.50

Approx Running Time: 90minutes, including an interval

Please book online / 0844 209 0326 (booking fee applies) or book in person at the King’s Head from 4pm (no booking fee)