It's not easy being Queen. And if you need any evidence look no further than the Folger Theatre's fascinating new documentary-style play texts&beheadings/ElizabethR.
The title is a bit of a misnomer as the focus of the evening is really on the "texts" and less about the beheadings under England's Queen Elizabeth I. Drawing on material from the Folger's own collection, creator/director
Karin Coonrod is on a mission to answer the question: who was this woman called "the Virgin Queen?"
Don't worry, you don't have to be a history buff to enjoy this show. Several of the challenges Elizabeth faced are still, sadly, being encountered by female leaders today. This makes
texts&beheadings/ElizabethR all the more engaging.
Using Elizabeth's own letters, poems, public statements along with the words of others who crossed her path, Coonrod uses four talented actresses (
Monique Barbee, Ayeje Feamster,
Juliana Francis-Kelly,
Cristina Spina) to explore significant themes of her life. Each theme is dubbed a "movement" and they include: Elizabeth's decision to not marry, her complicated ascendency to the throne, relationship with God and thoughts about the monarchy.
During each movement a different actress takes the role of Elizabeth, to varying degrees of success, while the other three women provide a contemporary, sometimes colorful, narration of events. It's a nice feature which prevents Elizabeth's story from being overwhelmed by historical chronology.
Coonrod's setup works, but is uneven. Much of the show focuses on the first two movements. Granted, one truly can't get a complete picture of a 44-year reign in just one hour. Still, there's a lot of potential with this show. Expanding both the running time and material would not only strengthen this promising piece it would give the audience more of a chance to answer Coonrod's initial question.
Fittingly, Spina and Barbee are the first two actresses to play Elizabeth, and are the strongest. Spina is an impassioned and worldly Elizabeth willing to fight off Parliament and suitors alike in her quest to remain single. Whether in English or Italian, Spina gives us a strong monarch willing to stand her ground with intelligence and wit.
Barbee shows us a different Elizabeth, one who is politically savvy and trying to navigate a life that featured three stepmothers and imprisonment in the Tower of London. She has a wonderful youthful quality that displays Elizabeth's inner strength in the face of such tribulations.
Feamster and Francis-Kelly are equally good. However, because the third and fourth movements seem shortchanged in comparison to the first two, they don't get the ability to showcase their range as Elizabeth.
One of the most interesting, and constant headaches for Elizabeth, was her battles with the Catholic Church. In movement three, Feamster's able to draw upon her spiritual side as we watch Elizabeth almost beg God for the strength to survive as sovereign. Coonrod's direction excels as a vulnerable Feamster contorts herself to the ground in her plea to the almighty.
Francis-Kelly has the most challenging role mainly because movement four lacks direction. Where as the first three movements had cohesive themes, the final movement is scattered in what it wants you to take away from it. Nevertheless Francis-Kelly turns in a defiant Elizabeth. Hers is seemingly confident on the throne and well aware of its trappings and rewards, relishing in the knowledge she's gained.
The four actresses are regally clad in
Oana Botez's gorgeous silk costumers. They give each actress the look of royalty while their charcoal grey/gold base colors of the gowns remind us of the dark tumult in Elizabeth's life.
John Conklin's minimalistic set design allows us to feel as if we're in Elizabeth's inner most thoughts. Four gold chairs line the stage, a constant reminder of the stakes of the thrown. The intensity of which is felt by
Peter Ksander intimate lighting design which always highlights the blood red color of the stage.
texts&beheadings/ElizabethR is being presented as part of the Women's Voices Theatre Festival. The show excels in its ability to present almost a case-study of one of history's earliest female leaders. Four gifted actresses bring her alive, but we're left wanting more.
Runtime: One hour with no intermission
texts&beheadings/ElizabethR runs thru October 4 at the Folger Theatre - 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003. For tickets and more information please call (202) 544-4600 or click here.
Photo: Four Elizabeths (l to r: Monique Barbee, Cristina Spina, Ayeje Feamster, and Juliana Francis-Kelly). Credit: Teresa Wood.
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