Crown Matrimonial

by Royce Ryton | directed by Zanna Foley-Davies
15-17 and 21-24 January

Photography: Sean Owen of Reflective Arts

England, 1936 – a crisis is forming in the monarchy. Edward VIII has declared his intention to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite with not one but two living ex-husbands. The church forbids the match, the country is scandalised by it, and the rest of the royal family are firmly against it. They say he cannot marry her and be King, he says he cannot be King without her. Their question of what should come first – personal happiness or public duty – could tear the very fabric of the family apart.

***

"Overall this is a very slick production of an engaging text that presents an historical landmark entirely in the setting of a family psychodrama. Even if like me you are a curmudgeonly disrespectful republican I am sure you will be entertained by this show, unlike Queen Mary who is plainly not amused. It does make us question the bizarre tradition of drawing our head of state from a dysfunctional family born of a rather tiny available pool of suitable breeding stock. If Charles III is weekending at Sandringham he should pop in to the excellent Sewell Barn show and perhaps savour a little schadenfreude at his predecessor’s discomfort facing an identical problem to his own before accession.  I note that the next production at the Barn is to be The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, no doubt to restore harmony to the Socialist Republic of Norwich!" Julian Swainson - Norwich Eye [click here for full review]

"Well done all - a production to all be proud of!... [we] enjoyed it immensely." Emma 

"Saw it tonight, absolutely loved it! Great show!" Emma

"Excellent performance! Attention to detail was outstanding. Well done!! Thoroughly enjoyed." Robin & Jeanette

"The piece centres around the actions of the wayward monarch, embodied perfectly by Alex Tiller as someone whose sense of duty is usurped by emotion... its driving force is the matriarch Queen Mary, played with a bewildered stoicism by the excellent Julie Benfield. It's well worth watching on the strength of the fine company performance, but those of us whose interest in the Monarchy may have been piqued by mainstream hits such as Netflix's The Crown will find this a compelling piece of Royal history, as well as those with a general historical interest too." Ray Tempesta - East Anglian Theatre Podcast [click here for full review]

"Brilliant production and performance, can’t wait to see it again." Veronica

"Was there on opening night, excellent performances from all." Catherine

"Julie [Queen Mary] was excellent and I was particularly impressed with Bertie. Everybody was good. A notable production." David

"This was an absolutely SUPERB production that any professional company would have been proud of! Sizzling performances, especially from Julie Benfield, Alex Tiller and Stephen Crawford-Brown! Many many congratulations!" Robin

"Another excellent and very enjoyable production by The Sewell Barn Theatre players tonight... Congratulations to all the cast and crew. Looking forward to seeing the next production." 'Reader Trowse'

"Crown Matrimonal: A superb triumph, outstanding performances, thoroughly entertaining - well done all." Jamie