Review: Handbagged at the Vaudeville Theatre

Handbagged

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 10th April 2014

Although I was born in the 1980s, I wasn't even at nursery school by the time Margaret Thatcher's reign at Downing Street was over. However, I did meet Baroness Thatcher when I was older and always found her to be a charming and very clever woman. So, as an admirer of both her and the Queen I was intrigued to see how Moira Buffini would explore the relationship between these two women on stage.

Handbagged, which has transferred from the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, looks at what (maybe) went on behind closed doors during Margaret Thatcher's term in office, presenting both fact and fiction as the Prime Minister and the Queen set about running the country.

In a clever touch there are not two leading ladies, but four: the Queen (Marion Bailey), Margaret Thatcher (Stella Gonet) and their younger selves Liz (Lucy Robinson) and Mags (Fenella Woolgar). As the story is told by the two younger women, the older two chip in, frequently disagreeing with "I never said that!" and "That's not how I remember it!"

There are no caricatures of the two women and they are presented well, although it is the older two who are most convincing. Bailey is exceptional, capturing the Queen perfectly in expression, posture and mannerisms, particularly the wry head shakes when she disagrees; Gonet is also outstanding as Thatcher and her accent is very convincing, and her frequent exclamations of "No!" Reduce the audience to fits of giggles.

That's not to say that Woolgar and Robinson were any less admirable in their roles and Woolgar gave a very strong performance. I just felt that the character of Liz was glossed over in the play, so Robinson had less substance to work with.

There are two other cast members (Neet Mohan and Jeff Rawle), but the stage belongs to the four women and the men are almost unnecessary (and don't get me started on the ridiculous panto element of Mohan as Nancy Reagan).

Rather than be educated by the men's breaks in character (and they played far too many) to explain the story, I felt patronised. I may be a fortunate youngster who is familiar with the politics of the 1980s because I'm interested in British history, but will many people born in the 90s and beyond actually care enough about the subject to go and see it?

Still, Buffini has created a wickedly funny play that entertains and delights.

Reviewed by Michaela Clement-Hayes

Handbagged runs at the Vaudeville Theatre until Saturday 2nd August 2014.
Click here to book tickets (top price seats reduced to £37.50 at selected performances).

Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton

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