Edinburgh Fringe

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Shakespeare’s Queens: She-Wolves and Serpents

by Kath Perry

The three biggest celebs of the Tudor dynasty – Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots
and Shakespeare – meet for the first time after they are all dead. As you'd expect,
Mary and Elizabeth are still arguing furiously over who ruled best and that
unfortunate incident with the axe... Finding himself caught in the middle,
Shakespeare is forced to summon all the queens of his plays – from the She-wolf
of France to the Serpent of the Nile – to help settle the dispute.

The absence of modern paparazzi, phone hacking and Twitter means there is no
evidence of any actual meetings or conversations between any of the play’s three
main characters. ‘This leaves us wonderfully free to have fun with them’, says
director Roz Riley. ‘It’s also a fascinating opportunity to meet lots of
Shakespeare’s seductive and fabulously powerful women, and the men they
loved and fought.’

As usual, Straylight Australia’s show features rapid changes of character, an
engaging underlying theme and a witty script. The all-Australian cast includes
Patrick Trumper as Shakespeare and all the kings, and Rachel Ferris and Kath
Perry as Mary, Elizabeth and all the queens. The play is lit by Stephen Dean and
comes to Edinburgh after a critically acclaimed three-week season at the
Adelaide Fringe.

Shakespeare’s Queens: She-Wolves and Serpents is Straylight Australia’s
fourth show at C venues, and follows their 2010 international hit, Shakespeare's
Mothers: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know.
‘Entertaining and insightful’ **** Adelaide Advertiser
‘Wonderfully written’ **** Theatre People
‘Thoroughly enjoyable’ Adelaide Theatre Guide
‘Go. Definitely, go’ Radio 5AA

www.shakespearesqueens.blogspot.com

Listings Information

Venue C eca, venue 50, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Dates 3–25 Aug
Time 14:00 (1hr00)
Ticket prices £8.50-£10.50 / concessions £6.50-£8.50 / children £4.50-£6.50

C venues box office 0845 260 1234 / www.CtheFestival.com

Fringe box office 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com

For further information, images and interview availability please contact
Kath Perry at Straylight Australia on 07935 231013