SEASON 14 ARCHIVE | April 2002

review

Mary Queen of Scots, passionate, naïve and Catholic; Elizabeth I, astute, intelligent and Protestant; John Knox, fearsome minister and scourge of the "monstrous regiment of women"; James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, consummate womanizer and politician; Henry, Lord Darnley, fickle and short-lived husband and fop; Davy Riccio, Mary's secretary, fortune-teller, and faith healer; all introduced by La Corbie, the spirit of Scotland and Ms Lochhead's equivalent of a Greek chorus … these richly drawn and vivid characters bring history to life, right in the heart of Austin.

Written in Scots and Standard English, this highly dramatic and stylized play with its black humor, and unusual twists, deals with the conflicts between two powerful and charismatic queens living on the same small island. It is set against a backdrop of the politics of Renaissance Europe, and comments very succinctly on the Scottish consciousness. It won an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First award in 1987 for its acclaimed author, feminist poet and playwright, Liz Lochhead.

Featuring: Lorella Loftus as MARY, Anne Marshall as LA CORBIE, Paul Norton as JOHN KNOX, Bernadette Nason as ELIZABETH, Dan Bisbee as BOTHWELL, Scott Daigle as DARNLEY, David Saldana as RICCIO and Elizabeth Marquis as THE FIDDLER.

Written by Liz Lochhead, Directed by Lorella Loftus. Set Design by Ann Marie Gordon, Lighting Design by Jennifer Rogers, Costume Design by Star Costumes, Sound Design by David Saldana and Musical Direction by Lorella Loftus.

Nominated for numerous Austin Critics Table awards and featured in ACOT's Curtain Call.