Helen Mirren to reprise royal role in new Broadway 'The Audience'

Helen Mirren, who has played Elizabeth the First, Elizabeth the Second and Queen Charlotte, is portraying Queen Elizabeth II in the Broadway play 'The Audience.'

The 69-year-old English actress said that talking right now she is even having paranoia in terms of saving my voice because doing theater, one depends on it and she is onstage nonstop two hours, the New York Post reported.

The 'Queen' star added that they've made some subtle changes, like small trims and adjustments, from the British version. There's a change at the end of Act 1, but they haven't made many concessions.

Mirren added that oddly, despite common language, married to an American all these years she is aware of subtle differences between the countries. The other day she said something, and her husband Taylor, said "What does that mean?" and so, a British play about British people, there are a few references Americans mightn't get.

She noted that doing previews here they can see that, but it's all verbal, light, not heavy, and a universal wit is employed. People understand one another's nature. Even if you didn't know Prime Minister Gordon Brown, what's threaded through is history.

Her Maj, who lacks a subscription to West End tryouts, has not seen the play nor has anyone from the Family, but the Royal Household has and some members came backstage and said, "Yes, that's Ma'am.