Mary Stuart in 250 words

Posted on 16 Feb 2018

Take the story of Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart. Make it relevant to a 21

Century audience. Flip a coin every night to decide who plays who. Currently at the Duke of York's theatre, Robert Icke's adaptation of

is fascinating, gripping, and perfectly executed by a flawless cast.

*Mary Stuart* artfully shows Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart as two sides of the same coin; in fact, a coin toss at the beginning of each performance decides who will play each of the two roles. The gesture is more than a novelty and sets the tone for a play in which these principal characters continuously overlap. When I saw *Mary Stuart*, Juliet Stevenson played the role of Elizabeth, with Lia Williams in the title role. Both were stunning, and I really felt that I could get *inside* their characters' minds. This play may be set in a historical context, but its characters are vivid and relevant. Part of this must also be credited to the way in which modern issues like gender are at the forefront of the play; it's impossible to detach. *Mary Stuart* is rich in complexity, but it isn't bogged down, and the pace is good. Even so, this is a fundamentally tense and *in*tense play, and I can understand why some may prefer a more upbeat production. If you're looking for a play to sink your teeth into, you can catch [*Mary Stuart*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/335/mary-stuart-tickets.aspx) at London's [Duke of York's Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/30/duke-of-yorks-theatre.aspx) until the end of March, or on tour in April.