Handbags At The Ready at the West Walls Theatre
The next performance by Carlisle’s Green Room Club is ‘Handbagged’ which was written by Moira Buffini.
This relatively new play has proven to be a popular choice with professional and amateur theatre groups. Handbagged takes quite a serious look at the Thatcher years, although there is much humour included.
Over the course of a decade, two of Britain’s most iconic women meet regularly and the play imagines what really happened in the private meetings between the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, and Queen Elizabeth II.
They were born only six months apart and each has the capacity to change the world, but how the world should be changed is another story. Will the two powerful women find common ground in tumultuous times? Or will the gloves come off?
The production takes the form of real and imagined meetings held at Buckingham Palace. If it’s part of the playwright’s imagination we are soon made aware of the fact by witty asides to the audience – usually given by Liz herself.
The play uses two actresses for the Queen and two for Mrs Thatcher and portrays them when Mrs Thatcher became Prime Minister and then in their later years. Two male actors also play another fourteen parts between them.
A strong cast has been assembled and the two Queens are Jenny Pike and Janice Nixon while the Thatchers are Sarah Waters and Eva Cook. The two men are club Chairman, David Wood and newcomer to the Green Room – though not to acting – Matt Brown. Theatregoers are ensured a witty and literate evening of theatre with this excellent play directed by club President, John Metcalfe.
The well-stocked and reasonably priced bar is open half an hour before each performance, during the interval and after a show. Coffee, tea and ice cream are also available.
The production runs from March 23 – 28 and starts at 7.30 p.m each night. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Office at the Old Town Hall. Drop-in, or phone 01228 598596. £9 for adults and £8 for concession.
For more information visit www.carlislegreenroom.uk or find them on Facebook @CarlisleGreenRoomClub.
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