British dramatist Royce Ryton’s two Act drama CROWN MATRIMONIAL (1972) makes compulsive viewing. Ryton’s play gives the inside story to one of British royalty’s darkest hours, King Edward V111’s (David) abdication, in 1936, to marry the woman he loved. As a love story, on a grand scale, it’s impossible to beat and still has the power to capture the world’s imagination. In a few week’s time, on Thursday May 3, Madonna’s new film W.E, dealing directly with Edward’s romance, premieres in Sydney.
Ryton’s play spans an impressive, huge arc from when the rumours of the King’s romance first began circulating around the royal palace to a visit that David makes to his mother, several years after his brother Bertie has succeeded him on the throne.
Nanette Frew’s production for the Genesian Theatre Company is satisfying. The curtain, replete with a British Coat of Arms projected onto it, opens to reveal Debbie Smith’s classic royal sitting room set. Sandra Bass as Queen Mary and Anne Avers as Countess of Airlie. the Queen’s Lady-In-Waiting, are busily trying to work through the latest gossip. Mehran Mortezaei plays the Queen’s ever reliable, dutiful Page, regularly announcing new people as the entrance to the main room becomes a little revolving door like.
It’s not long before Andrew O’Connell plating David enters, in his first tryst with his mother. O’Connell gives an impressive performance as the strong willed King. As the play proceeds it’s a bit like watching watching an intricate chess game, as Mary and David make their moves until Mary declares checkmate.
John Willis-Richards and Dearbhla Hannigan give well etched performances as Bertie (Duke of York) and Elizabeth (Duchess of York) who are drawn in to the spotlight by David.
Frew and lighting designer Mark Banks come up with some deft touches including the coat of Arms on the curtain and the spotlighting of a framed picture of the King as the King’s abdication speech is played over the theatre’s speakers.
Susan Carveth and Fiona Barry combine well to dress the cast in fetching period costume and wig designs.
Nanette Frew’s production of Royce Ryton’s CROWN MATRIMONIAL opened at the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney on Saturday 14th April and plays until Saturday May 12, 2012.
(c) David Kary
April 21, 2012
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- CROWN MATRIMONIAL, Royce Ryton, Genesian Theatre Company, Nanette Frew, Sydney Arts Guide, David Kary