Four stars.
It is a fond memory that every Christmas Day, after the 7pm ABC news bulletin, we, as a family, would watch the Queen’s Christmas message, that went out to all Commonwealth nations. We thought what a lovely, warm, regal presence she was,
Since those innocent times there has, of-course, been the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, amongst other literature, which conveyed less appealing portrayal’s of the late Queen and other Royals.
Australian playwright Melanie Tait’s well crafted play THE QUEEN’S NANNY adds to the literature dispelling any rose coloured illusions that we may still carry.
Tait’s play tells the true life story of Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, a young Scottish woman who the Queen Mother employs as the Nanny to her two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. With the Queen’s mother’s life taken up with royal duties, Crawfie pretty much takes on the role of mother to the two girls.
Crawfie spends years raising the girls and forms a close emotional bond with them and the wider family. This also stirs deep feelings within her that she would like to have her own children. This longing is increased when she finds a partner. Still, she chooses to spend her best childbearing years with the royals.
Crawfie finally makes the break, moves in with her partner, whom she marries, with the Queen Mother setting her up in far less opulent digs. Whilst living with the royals Crawfie kept a very written, meticulously detailed journal. A veteran journalist gets wind of it and offers her plenty of money to publish the journals. Cash strapped and with a very pushy husband, Dulcie accepts the offer. How will the royal family react when Dulcie’s book reveals that they are, in a lot of ways, just like any other family, with its own difficulties and challenges. How will they cope with demystification?!
Elizabeth Blackmore is excellent as Scottish nanny, Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford. Crawford’s performance is right on point. Hers was a very contained, assured portrayal of a lovable, kind hearted, intelligent woman.
Emma Palmer plays the unlikable figure of the Queen’s mother. She is steadfast in her determination that the Royal family remain in a very different league and social stratum to ordinary folk.
Matthew Backer is given the task of playing all the other roles with whom the Queen’s mother and Nanny interact. He assuredly covers a very broad range of characters including very young Elizabeth to the veteran, hard-nosed journalist, to the house butler.
With her choice of director Priscilla Jackman. Tait could not have put her play in better hands. Jackman’s direction is flawless.
Jackman’s creative team effectively bring all the non text based elements to play their important roles in the production; Michael Hankin’s use of miniature sets, Genevieve Graham’s costume design, Morgan Moroney’s atmospheric lighting and James Brown’s poignant soundscape.
This is a fine play, blessed with an excellent first production, and is worthy and deserving of many future productions.
Melanie Tait’s THE QUEEN’S NANNY is playing the Ensemble Theatre, 98 McDougall Street, Kirribilli until the 12th October 2024.
Featured image Matthew Backer and Elizabeth Backer in Melanie Tait’s ‘The Queen’s Nanny’. Production images by Phil Erbacher
http://www.ensembletheatre.com.au
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