Handbags at dawn. Marian Bailey (Queen), Stella Gonet (Thatcher). Photograph by Tristram Kenton
Play: Handbagged
Theatre: Vaudeville Theatre
Playwright: Moira Buffini
Playwright: Indhu Rubasingham
Review by Samantha Watson
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to eavesdrop on the private conversations of two of Britain’s most iconic and influential female figures? Playwright Moira Buffini attempts to do just that with former PM Margaret Thatcher and the Queen in her cleverly crafted production Handbagged.
Transferred to the West End after a successful run last year at the Tricycle Theatre, the play takes us on an accelerated ride through Thatcher’s 11 year premiership with deep wit and great one-liners that would have even the most cynical soul laugh out loud.
Buffini causes visual havoc by having an older Queen (Marion Bailey) and Thatcher (Stella Gonet) share the stage with younger versions of themselves – Fenella Woolgar as ‘Mags’ and Lucy Robinson as ‘Liz’. The older pair of this dynamic duo question the nature of their relationship as the younger pairing take us through key periods of Thatcher’s controversial leadership.
Director Indhu Rubasingham takes a risk in removing the fourth wall by having the Queen and Thatcher address the audience in a conversational style as they reflect on the tense discussions exchanged between their younger selves. Thankfully, it pays off.
Having six actors play 21 characters to highlight significant events from Thatcher’s premiership is impressive. Jeffrey Rawle does a fantastic job as Thatcher’s devoted and brash husband Dennis, along with the other men in her life at that time, Ronald Reagan and Michael Heseltine among them. Neet Mohan does a fine job in multiple roles, including playing Nancy Reagan.
A special mention has to go to set designer Richard Kent’s beautifully constructed white frame in the shape of the Union Jack against which the colourfully dressed women stand out, handbags at the ready.
A sense of slapstick enters the proceedings when the actors come out of character to amuse the audience by explaining key periods in history such as how Southern Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe. Even the interval causes a disagreement between the women as the Queen’s desire to take a break is pooh poohed by Thatcher who wants to continue.
There is a wonderfully surreal moment when Rawle refers to “The Hamiltons” during a scene after noticing that the disgraced former Conservative MP for Tatton Neil Hamilton is in the audience. It is this freewheeling approach that makes the audience feel like an intrinsic part of the play.
One debatable choice is having the Queen as a lefty, bordering on socialist, during her annual Christmas Day speech. Her unlikely call for fairness for all, and agreeing with the fall of the Empire, contrasts with Thatcher’s sterner approach, particularly her dislike of workers’ unions and the miners’ strike.
Buffini seems keen to unearth the emotional differences between these formidable women. The Queen expresses her concern over the impending split between Charles and Diana while Thatcher refrains from discussing how she feels following the assassination attempt on her life by the IRA in 1984.
In these moments we see how distinctively different they probably were, despite both having great adoration for their fathers who helped shaped them as women, and sharing a love of jam.
If you want a hearty chuckle, stellar performances, a reminder of key political moments in recent British history and get in touch with how you felt about Thatcher and feel about the Queen, then this play is for you.
Handbagged is at the Vaudeville Theatre until 2 August 2014.