Written by Carole Levin
Directed by Lynn Nichols
Review by Eve Nugent
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall: Tickets
“The safest and strongest Queen is the one who rules alone.”
The year is 1601, nearing the end of the Tudor dynasty. Clad in ornate regalia, the unmarried Elizabeth I reflects upon her 43-year reign of turmoil and chaos, boldly performed by Tammy Meneghini. Writer Carole Levin cleverly manipulates the Queen’s tumultuous timeline, scattered with menacing rumours and murder plots, humanising this renowned historical figure.
Shakespeare’s magical lyricism and letters written by Elizabeth I are woven into this historically dense yet compelling narrative. With an unfaltering desire not to marry, she clutches at her freedom and autonomy as a woman, aiming to prove her “heart and stomach of a King.” This struggle for independence, beautifully portrayed by Meneghini, evokes a sense of sympathy and support from the audience. However, by shedding layers of her burdening costume throughout the monologue, the Queen strips back the regal façade and bares her true, damaged character. This is supported by Meneghini’s nuanced and subtle mannerisms, including wild eyes and twitching hands, shaping a believable and empathetic character. Her crisp delivery pushes the story forward despite one minor accent slip.
Overall, Meneghini’s embodiment of Elizabeth I is highly impressive. She captures this formidable monarch’s complex dimensions of distress and grief, rejecting the one-dimensional image of a cold-hearted leader. Her final heartfelt speech neatly concludes the performance, leaving the audience satisfied.
Review by Even Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Eve’s theatrical focus has recently broadened into writing and directing, for instance with her modern Othello adaptation for the University’s Shakespeare Company. Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she plays the flute, piano and guitar with equal fervour. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
