New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme – until Saturday 28 September 2019
Reviewed by Joanne Hodge
4****
Handbagged, written by Moira Buffini, and on this outing directed by her sister, Fiona, examines the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. It imagines the conversations that might have taken place between Britain’s two most powerful women [at that time] during their behind-closed-door meetings.
For the most, the conversations are shown ‘as they happened’ with the feisty females brought to life by Zoe Aldrich as Mags and Melissa Collier as Liz. A narrative, yet reflective take on these exchanges is given by the older, maybe wiser, versions of themselves, with Jan Goodman as ‘T’, and Louise Bangay as ‘Q’. The ladies are all superb in their roles, cut-glass accents and pomp and circumstance in abundance.
As the tales unravel, guest appearances are made from Prince Phillip, Dennis Thatcher, Michael Hesseltine and Ron and Nancy Reagan, all played by Paul Mundell and Ashley Gerlach. The sheer number of characters being portrayed made for super-speedy costume changes, but the fact that this was comically referred to by the cast made you feel like everyone was in on the joke.
As someone who isn’t a royalist, or particularly interested in politics, the subject matter was quite educational for me, with the right mix of satire and witticism. The cast all displayed excellent comic timing, and the synchronicity between the younger and older versions of our leading ladies was sublime.
Whilst the interjections of the supporting cast – there to remind Mags/T and Liz/Q of events they’d rather have forgotten or glossed over – were, in the beginning, light-hearted and amusing, they soon became slightly annoying and somewhat preachy, and I felt they hindered, rather than helped the flow of the show.
That one minor bugbear aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the play. Added interest came from being in-the-round, giving Q the opportunity to circulate and engage with her subjects, which they seemed to appreciate. Credit must go to designer Olivia du Monceau, whose large golden crown hung over the ensemble like the Sword of Damacles. Though the set was minimal, with props mainly moved by the cast themselves between scenes, it was extremely effective, and aided beautifully by Daniella Beattie’s lighting.
For anyone thinking this play may go against their political leanings, or their feelings around the monarchy, I’d say give it a shot, it certainly surprised me