Ladies Who Wait

The World Premiere season of award-winning playwright Yvette Wall’s Ladies Who Wait is almost-sold-out and being very well received by audiences. This black comedy, which takes place in the Tudor era, is billed as a "rarely true story" and feels very like a feminist Black Adder with its irreverent approach to historical accuracy.

This show has grown out of a successful ten minute Short and Sweet entry and its two acts cover events in royal history some twenty years apart. Central characters Agnes and Alice are working class religious prisoners in the Tower of London, proud “Pope lovers” who find themselves appointed as ladies in waiting to the doomed Anne Boleyn in the days leading up to her execution. In the second act, now chamber-pot maids in the royal palace our heroes accidentally stumble into the royal bedchamber with Queen Mary apparently in labour.

Our protagonists are played by Colleen Bradford (Alice) and Fiona Forster (Agnes) as rough and ready women willing to turn their hand to any task if there is a good meal and some wine in the deal. Both adept comediennes, they have wonderful timing and superb teamwork. Emily Howe is an elegant and dignified Anne Boleyn, charting a lovely journey and completing an amazing stunt fall. An unexpected visit comes from King Henry’s wife-to-be number three, Jane Seymour, a beautifully blonde and clueless Maree Cole, while Catherine of Aragon appears in dream form - played with a mixture of poise and hysteria by Jennifer McGrath

In Act Two, Agnes and Alice are again at the centre of the action as a delightfully unhinged Queen Mary (Jennifer McGrath) struggles through apparent labour after twelve months of pregnancy. Her half-sister and heir Lady Mary (Maree Cole again, acting superbly in a very different role), arrives bringing cynicism and common sense.

The final role, Guard Roger, is played by producer David Wall in a quirky cameo, quickly becoming an audience favourite.

A must see for history fans (despite its lack of historical accuracy) and more those who enjoy off beat or female led comedy.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: Curtain Call Creatives