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A small stage packs in an impressive amount of character, emotion and machinations as our characters scheme their way through one decisive night. Very well acted and completely absorbing.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Set in 1554, this historical story unfolds the manoeuvres and hopes of the titular three queens. The current queen, Mary, must consider the fate of two prisoners: her rival would-be queens Elizabeth and Jane Grey. Loyalties to family and the competing religions of the time drive these characters to compete for power, the throne and the ability to impose their will on England.
The Three Queens are brilliantly portrayed throughout the show and have very different approaches as they seek favour and power. Mary (Becky Black) is very proud and righteously furious when other characters challenge her authority as Queen; she will sentence others to death for what she considered the good of the country. The strength she conveys to others is clear, but alongside this you also see her regret that it must be so. Elizabeth (Eliza Shea) deploys a quiet charisma to persuade others to her goals, but the gears changing in her mind as she adapts tactics are obvious. Jane Grey (Martha Crow) at first appears to be a submissive, defeated challenger to the throne but then brings out a fierce defiant side; she will not compromise on her ideals, even if threatened with death.
The stage is a small one, surrounded by the audience up close to the action. This setup is perfect, enabling us to closely observe the characters as they quickly adapt tactics during their many debates with each other. Most scenes feature two or three characters, and you can clearly see their tensions and familiarities with each other. Your eyes are drawn to the reactions of the supporting characters as they prepare for their next move to encourage a queen to consider their approach. There is good use of design to create the atmospheric mood of the night-time setting. A chessboard is a central prop, which brilliantly evokes the theme of the manoeuvring and plotting.
The main figures are supported by well-rounded friends and advisors, each with their own angles to play. Cardinal Reginald Pole (Les Kenny-Green) adopts a softly spoken approach to implore our queens to see reason, but has fire and rage when his plans go awry. Sir Robert Dudley (Sushant Shekhar) is charming and tries to put others at ease, until he is ready to unveil his plans to support Elizabeth, whilst her servant Kat Ashley (Sally Sharp) is full of devotion and hidden wisdom.
This is a story well worth the visit. Regardless of whether the audience has studied the historical period being recreated, the actors bring it vividly to life and if some spectators will be encouraged to read more about the history of our Three Queens, then that is no bad thing.
Written by Rosamund Gravelle
Directed by Sharon Willems
Music by Dimitri Kennaway
Lighting Design by Leo Bacica
Produced by Kibo Productions & Rosamund Gravelle
Three Queens plays at Barons Court Theatre until 11 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.
