An Audience with acting royalty Helen Mirren once again plays Queen Elizabeth II and is captivating. MOVIE REVIEW: The latest stage play to be beamed into Australian cinemas by Britain's National Theatre Live project is a must-see for anyone who appreciates acting at its very best. Helen Mirren returns to her most famous screen role of Queen Elizabeth II for a new production scripted by the great Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon). What is most interesting here - and keeps viewers on their toes - is how quickly and convincingly Mirren can switch the varying ages of her character. In most cases, she does not leave the stage. The first rapid-fire metamorphosis - which sees Mirren halve the age of Elizabeth in less than 30 seconds - draws audible gasps from the crowd. How she does it is stagecraft at its most magical. The monarch's extended chats with the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and even current British PM David Cameron are in no way the stiff, formal exchanges one would expect. Throughout the play, Mirren skilfully calibrates her role without altering her direct connection to the live audience. She can be imperious, empathetic and downright hilarious, all at once. The scenes that Mirren shares with Richard McCabe (as Harold Wilson) are a delight to witness. So great, in fact, they are worth the price of admission in their own right. A magnificent reminder of how electrifying the age-old format of two people simply talking on a stage can still be. The Audience plays select cinemas this month. Visit ntlive.com for location updates. The Audience [M] Rating: 4.5/5 Director: Stephen Daldry (The Hours). Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Elwyn, Haydn Gwynne, Richard McCabe. Mirren rules again, and reigns supreme