Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off gets a chance for a wider audience 25 years after its initial outing. Liz Lochhead's acclaimed play debuted in Scotland a quarter of a century ago and a limited one week run at the Donmar Warehouse was its only London foray in 1987.
Olivier Award winning La Boheme director Robin Norton-Hale is at the helm of this revival. She states: “When I first read Liz Lochhead's play, I couldn't believe audiences in London hadn't had chance to see it, apart from a handful of performances 25 years ago. It is so vivacious, irreverent and funny - the least dry telling of a complicated historical intrigue you could imagine. It's also an enticing challenge for actors - most of them play at least five different characters.”
The play focuses on the rivalry between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I and the intense fascination that they had of each other. Mary's legacy is viewed through the eyes of Corbie, a carrion crow who unbeknownst to her, follows her journey through life and death.
The cast features Nora Wardell (Mary), Sarah Thom (Elizabeth), Shelley Lang (La Corbie), Sean Hart (Darnley), Jamie Laird (Bothwell), Prentis Hancock (Knox), Michael Longhi (Riccio).
"A huge artistic success" The New York Times on director Robin Norton-Hale, La Boheme
"Shelley Lang gives one of the best performances I have ever seen" Whatsonstage.com on actress Shelley Lang, The Present
"I was shocked that a play so brilliant had not had a proper run in England... the fact that there are three amazing women in it attracted me... you can enjoy the rhythm of the language a lot more. It might bring something to an English audience that are not used to it" Robin Norton-Hale
Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off tickets are on sale now and the play will reside at the King's Head Theatre from 5th to 22nd June after two days of previews and a press night on Friday 31st May