‘An excellent, fitting and timely production’
If you thought that recent royal crises put our monarchy’s future at risk, last week’s Harborough Theatre production reminded us that it has weathered even worse storms.
Crown Matrimonial, by Royce Ryton, is based on the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 when he declares his intention to marry divorced American Wallis Simpson, who never actually appears in the show.
The deft direction of Maggie Kirk resulted in a tight and convincing cast, whose costumes outshone anything seen in Downton Abbey!
Nicky Mawer as Queen Mary, King George’s widow, was wonderfully regal, commanding, but still retained a mother’s sensitivity for her sons’ well-being. Bewigged Neil Lovegrove as King Edward impressed from his first entrance. His similarity to the dashing monarch was striking and his performance gave us a real taste of his dilemma. Ben Reid, as his younger brother, contrasted perfectly as the less confident, stammering man who was unexpectedly propelled into the spotlight as King George VI. Helen Foreman as Elizabeth (eventually to be the Queen Mother) portrayed his supportive wife with credibility.
The abdication issue is well documented, but this play gave an insight into how the royal family might have actually coped with it-let alone the rest of the nation and the Church. Others in this well-cast production were Nicci Harvey, Linda Waddilove, Kevin Norris, Anna Buckley, Gemma Barder and Charles Hilsdon.
An excellent, fitting and timely production.
Gordon Birch, Harborough Mail
