By Royal Appointment is on its 2026–27 UK tour, with Jane Asher starring as Queen Elizabeth II alongside Laura Main as The Dresser. Following its Cambridge run, Daisy Goodwin’s play heads to Theatre Royal Nottingham from 6 October before continuing around the UK and finishing at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury on 6 February 2027.
The production looks behind the carefully controlled public image of the late Queen and asks what her wardrobe could communicate when the monarch herself remained famously discreet. With new production photography now released, here’s the current cast, story, tour dates and where to book.
By Royal Appointment UK tour at a glance
- Written by: Daisy Goodwin
- Directed by: Anthony Banks
- Starring: Jane Asher, Laura Main, David Robb, Matthew Cottle and Laura Matthews
- Tour: September 2026 – 6 February 2027
- Running time: around 2 hours 20–25 minutes including an interval, depending on venue
- Age guidance: check with your chosen venue; York Theatre Royal lists the production as 14+
Who is in the cast of By Royal Appointment?
Jane Asher plays The Queen, with Call the Midwife star Laura Main as The Dresser. Main is the current casting for the tour, replacing the previously announced Samantha Womack.
They are joined by David Robb as The Designer, Matthew Cottle as The Milliner and Laura Matthews as The Curator. The company also includes Jeremy Drakes as a Footman and understudy for The Designer and The Milliner, and Fiona Tong as a Footman and understudy for The Queen, The Dresser and The Curator.
What is By Royal Appointment about?
Queen Elizabeth II was known for keeping her public comments carefully measured, but By Royal Appointment explores another way a monarch could send a message: through clothes.
The play focuses particularly on the relationship between The Queen and her Dresser, alongside the Designer and Milliner responsible for creating such a recognisable public image. It turns the familiar coats, hats and carefully chosen colours into a funny and poignant behind-the-scenes story about image, influence and proximity to power.
First look: By Royal Appointment production images
The new photographs give us our first proper look at the current touring production. The design is by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting design by Richard Howell, sound design by Sarah Weltman and composition by Ben Ringham.
Production photography: Robert Day.
By Royal Appointment UK tour dates and tickets
Dates below use the current live venue listings rather than earlier tour announcements, as several opening dates have shifted by a day since the tour was first announced.
| Dates | Venue | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 24 September–3 October 2026 | Cambridge Arts Theatre | Official tickets |
| 6–10 October 2026 | Theatre Royal, Nottingham | Official tickets |
| 20–24 October 2026 | Chelmsford Theatre | Official tickets |
| 10–14 November 2026 | York Theatre Royal | Official tickets |
| 12–16 January 2027 | His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen | Official tickets |
| 19–23 January 2027 | Chichester Festival Theatre | Official tickets |
| 26–30 January 2027 | King’s Theatre, Edinburgh | Official tickets |
| 2–6 February 2027 | The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury | Official tickets |
Ticket note: Clarissa’s Corner checked for a suitable affiliate option on 29 September 2026, but there isn’t a current relevant affiliate link for this tour, so the links above take you to the official venues instead.
Accessibility
Access arrangements vary by theatre, so check the access information for your chosen venue before booking if you need a particular seat, wheelchair space, captioning, audio description, BSL interpretation or another adjustment.
There are already accessible performances within the tour schedule: for example, Chelmsford lists a captioned performance on 21 October, Aberdeen lists a touch tour on 16 January, and King’s Theatre Edinburgh lists a captioned performance on 28 January. Availability and arrangements can change, so confirm the details directly with the venue when you book.
More theatre on Clarissa’s Corner
Planning a few theatre trips? Have a mooch through my Autumn 2026 theatre guide for more London and UK picks. You can also see the latest images, cast and dates for Sylvia: A Musical Revolution, another current tour heading to Canterbury, or browse the Back to the Future UK Tour 2026–27 guide.
By Royal Appointment FAQ
What is By Royal Appointment about?
Daisy Goodwin’s play explores Queen Elizabeth II’s relationship with her Dresser and the people who helped shape her carefully constructed public image, including the way clothes could quietly communicate a message.
Who stars in By Royal Appointment?
The current 2026–27 tour stars Jane Asher as The Queen, Laura Main as The Dresser, David Robb as The Designer, Matthew Cottle as The Milliner and Laura Matthews as The Curator.
Who wrote By Royal Appointment?
By Royal Appointment is written by Daisy Goodwin, creator of the ITV drama Victoria, and directed by Anthony Banks.
Where is By Royal Appointment touring?
The 2026–27 tour visits Cambridge, Nottingham, Chelmsford, York, Aberdeen, Chichester, Edinburgh and Canterbury, finishing at The Marlowe Theatre on 6 February 2027.
How can I book By Royal Appointment tickets?
Use the official venue links in the tour-date table above. Always check the individual theatre’s current performance schedule, prices and access information before booking.
