Dame Kristin Scott Thomas makes West End debut in revival of The Audience... and receives glowing reviews for her portrayal of the Queen

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas had some big shoes to fill when she took on the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the revival of Peter Morgan's play The Audience.

Following in the footsteps of Dame Helen Mirren - who is currently reprising the role on Broadway, for which she has been nominated for a Tony award - was no easy feat, but the British actress has duly impressed critics after performing for the first time at the show's press night on Tuesday, at the Apollo Theatre in London's West End.

The 54-year-old certainly looked the part of the monarch as she graced the stage, unrecognisable as her usual self.

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Big moment: Dame Kristin Scott Thomas took to the stage for the press preview of The Audience, at London's Apollo Theatre on Tuesday

Her stage debut in The Audience came just weeks after she met the Queen herself to receive her damehood for her services to drama.

At the time, the Queen had given her a word of warning about the tricky role in the play, which is inspired by the Queen's private weekly meetings with all of Britain's Prime Ministers during her six-decade reign on the throne.

Revealing her conversation with Elizabeth, 88, Kristin said: 'She asked me what I was doing next, so I had to tell her and she said it would be quite a challenge.'

But Kristin overcame that 'challenge' to wow at the first showing of the play, directed by Stephen Daldry, which was first seen on stage in 2013 with Mirren in the lead role. 

She looks the part: The 54-year-old is following in the prestigious footsteps of Dame Helen Mirren in the role as Queen Elizabeth II, in the revival of Peter Morgan's play

High praise: Much of the initial feedback for the Stephen Daldry-directed effort were glowing four-star reviews, with much of the positive comments aimed in Scott Thomas' direction

Critics have been largely impressed, with the likes of The Guardian's Michael Billington praising her for her excellence 'when the play gives her a chance to break protocol and argue with her prime ministers'.

However, he did point out that there were weaknesses in her performance, but mainly in just the one scene in which she came face-to-face with Harold Wilson. 

The Independent's Holly Williams added, along with a four-star review: 'Scott Thomas is certainly regal: elegant, refined, chin lifted and nose looked down.

'This is a rather arch interpretation; the slightest pursing of lips may suggest one is amused, or deeply disapproving. She glides smooth and cool as marble through on-stage costume changes and time-shifts.'

'She is certainly regal': One such review, from The Independent's Holly Williams, stated that Scott Thomas is 'elegant and refined' in the role as the monarch

A believable Queen? Although many of the reviews are positive, some have claimed the actress - who recently received her damehood - wasn't as good as her predecessor

Four-star status: The Telegraph's Dominic Cavendish exclaimed that she is 'a match for Mirren'

Another glowing four-star review came from The Telegraph, whose Dominic Cavendish claimed that 'Scott Thomas is a match for Mirren'.

'Elegant Dame Kristin easily holds her own against the gilded memory of Dame Helen Mirren,' he said with much praise.

Other fond reviews came from the likes of The Arts Desk's Marianka Swain, who says: 'Elegantly languorous Scott Thomas is less of a physical match than her predecessor, who embodied the straitjacket of duty, and doesn't quite equal Mirren’s extraordinarily precise vocal gradations, but her arch comic delivery adds spice to the waspish putdowns. 

'She excels in moments of wistful yearning, stressing Morgan’s contention that ours is a gracefully reluctant ruler, in contrast to the stream of power-hungry politicos.'

Big shoes to fill: Dame Helen Mirren first took on the role of the Queen in The Audience in 2013 - she is now reprising the role on Broadway and has been nominated for a Tony Award

The Times has also chosen to give the West End revival of The Audience a four-star appraisal.

Dominic Maxwell coos: 'It takes right-royal nerve to replace Helen Mirren in one of her most celebrated roles, yet Kristin Scott Thomas pulls it off. 

'Though she is 15 years Mirren’s junior, she proves every bit as fascinating as the Queen in this top-notch revival.'

But it wasn't all completely high praise for the second Dame to take on such a highly ambitious role, as The Stage's Mark Shenton wasn't entirely convinced by Scott Thomas' portrayal.

'There’s something less warmly convincing and convivial than Mirren managed to achieve,' he stated. 

'At times, she’s a bit panto dame Queen, with a lot of tilted-head-and-quizzical-looks acting. She was also hesitant about her lines on the night I saw the performance.' 

After-show glamour: The esteemed actress let her hair down after the first showing of the play, looking content and as elegant as ever in a full gold skirt, blouse and furry wrap

Strong team: The Audience is being directed by Stephen Daldry, who has also received praise from the critics

Quentin Letts of The Daily Mail said that the Queen 'should be honoured to have such a fragrant gazelle, such a precious princess, interpret her'.

Although he added that the play would 'do perfectly well' without her, and that her 'understudy is more than adequate'.

Kristin looks set to make an impact on audiences going forward with the play's revival, which will run from 21 April until mid-July. 

Speaking to Vogue earlier this year, Kristin admitted she never saw Dame Helen perform in the play, but doesn't feel intimidated by her legacy.

'I see this as my interpretation of the Queen, and I certainly don't want to step in to her [Mirren's] shoes literally. I am having all new costumes made for me,' the actress stated with confidence.

And on Tuesday evening, after taking to the stage in the first showing of The Audience, Kristin was certainly in great spirits as she enjoyed herself at the afterparty.

Taking a bow: Kristin ended the night in great spirits - she'll take to the stage as the Queen from April 21 at the Apollo Theatre in London

Having removed her costume, she was back to her normal glamorous self, wowing in a full gold skirt, white blouse and furry wrap.

It is the latest role for the Cornwall-born actress whose career has seen her honoured in both the UK and France where she now lives.

She has previously been nominated for several Olivier Awards over the years, and won the Best Actress gong in 2008 for The Seagull.

Her movie career has also been incredibly successful: in 1996 she was nominated for an Academy Award for The English Patient, and she is also the proud owner of a BAFTA for Four Weddings And A Funeral.

The Audience is scheduled at the Apollo Theatre, opening on 5 May 2015, following previews from 21 April 2015.