Reviews

• Rowena Cooper

  Sep 27, 2017

  Queen Anne is not a monarch which many will be familiar, but the production left me wanting to learn more about this complex, challenging woman, and the personal and political forces surrounding her reign. Each member of the cast delivered highly memorable performances, with Queen Anne and Lady Marlborough rightly standing out. Excellent directions, slick transitions, a wonderful use of set, and live music, made it a highly enjoyable production to watch.

• Martin

  Sep 27, 2017

  Brilliant- best play i’ve seen in a long time

• Anne, Bearsden, Glasgow

  Sep 26, 2017

  Excellent acting and production. Clever use of doors on stage. Not sure about accuracy of using black actors. I am NOT being racist but historically I don't understand why. Romulai Garai outstanding in her portrayal of the scheming Sarah Churchill

• Peter Seagroatt

  Sep 26, 2017

  Superb acting, great song diversions and clear plot.

• Ro

  Sep 21, 2017

  excell

• Tim Watt

  Sep 17, 2017

  A slightly mediocre, though factually OK) play, saved by some excellent acting. I particularly admired the two female leads: Romola Garai as the Duchess and Emma Cunniffe as the Queen herself, while Harley was wonderfully reptilian. Marlbourough himself was somewhat overplayed and, of course, in actuality, neither he nor William III were negroes.

• Mark Ormerod

  Sep 13, 2017

  Very interesting play with some excellent performances

• Chas

  Sep 12, 2017

  Extremely well acted and energetic - it relates so well to the modern day political wranglings.

• Puddy

  Sep 9, 2017

  Started with great promise but then took some time to gain pace. The length of some of the pauses made one feel a little unfortable. The second half was far more energized which made up for a rather lack lustre first half.

• Anne Shortfield

  Sep 8, 2017

  Very well produced, we much enjoyed decor and costumes, wit and sophistication, and the understudy for R. Garai did a splendid job. Downside: Some of the actors did not speak quite clearly enough, it was too long by 1/2 hour, and the air conditioning in the stalls was absolutely freezing!!

• Australian visitor

  Sep 8, 2017

  One of the two leading actresses fell on the stage and was injured. She was replaced by the understudy part way through who did a commendable but not compelling performance. The acting, particularly Queen Anne who was excellent, was of variable standard and not believable. Interesting, good value but not exhilarating.

• AMO

  Sep 8, 2017

  Beautifully acted. Enjoyed every moment of it. For me a beginner in history a great exposure to this period. My husband felt Perhaps a shade long. Disappointed to see empty seats but as a result we got great value seats.

• C Mac

  Sep 8, 2017

  This is a very engrossing play which covers a fairly little known but significant part of English history so it educates but also is very entertaining in its depiction of the characters, the machinations of government, politicians and press , whilst centring on the contrasting fates of Queen Anne and her erstwhile favourite Sarah Churchill. The acting is superb, the ensemble pieces are great fun and the (live) music adds to the drama significantly. Emma Cunliffe and Romola Garai are wonderful actresses who hold the audience rapt in their exchanges. The play is moving, too. We were gripped throughout.

• Joshua Getzler (Oxford)

  Sep 8, 2017

  We enjoyed the play immensely, wise, moving, and beautifully acted. Fine acting. History brought alive.

• Tom M

  Sep 8, 2017

  Really enjoyed this fabulous show and the brilliant acting. Also we were really looked after well by the theatre and its staff

• T McCall

  Sep 6, 2017

  Great cast, superb acting and a very interesting story. Sumptuous costumes too!

• Dr Ali and Mrs Cherie Khaleeli

  Sep 6, 2017

  This was a powerful absorbing bit of history brought out well in this performance by a group of very competent actors. It was lively and though slightly slow to build up maintained an exciting level of interest. The development of Anne from whimpiness to powerful independence was beautifully captured as was the controlling arrogant wilful self aggrandisement of Sarah Churchill by the two main actresses. An absorbing and enjoyable play and supplemented by amusing interludes of cartoon like buffoonery by a host of fine supportive performances. Well worth seeing !

• Mikw W

  Sep 5, 2017

  A well acted and enjoyable performance by a truely professional cast despite a few glaring historical inaccuracies.

• Cheryl D.

  Sep 4, 2017

  This performance of "Queen Anne" was exceptional. The writing, staging and acting were superb.

• Lucyloo

  Sep 3, 2017

  Really enjoyed Queen Anne. It was an informative and entertaining evening. All of the cast were fantastic but was particularly impressed with Emma Cunniffe as a lead. Despite being a pitiful and amusing character at first, she was able to subtely reveal her inner strength. Highly recommended.

• Neil

  Sep 1, 2017

  Fabulous production/acting from the whole cast, but particularly the two leading ladies.

• Anne Nonymous

  Aug 30, 2017

  Wonderful historical drama beautifully acted and staged. I defy anyone in the audience to state that they didn't learn anything about the history of the setting they already knew beforehand.

• A.Soller

  Aug 30, 2017

  A very interesting play about a queen that is not known as well as other English monarchs are and therefore is at ample time explored as well as her most interesting relationship with her intimate friend Lady Sarah Marlborough. (No spoilers included in this review

• Hisperica

  Aug 30, 2017

  A superb evening with two stellar performances from Cunliffe and Garai. Also , a great ensemble piece, pity the publicity gave the impression of a two handed. Only criticism , King William too pantomimey shouty. Stunning set and thought provoking content, particularly , if like me you area bit vague about the space between Elizabeth I and Victoria! References to union with Scotland very timely...

• Anne Southgate

  Aug 30, 2017

  Fascinating drama about a little known historical period. Both funny and sad in equal measure. The political machinations resonate with the contemporary situation. My only criticism was the use of black actors to play white historical characters such as the king. This is fine for other characters but didn't work with known characters. However, all actors were excellent.

• et

  Aug 28, 2017

  A fascinating play wonderfully acted, superbly directed. What a treat to enagage with interesting material, fascinating characters all dramatically and thewatrically created for thinking, feeling adults

• Theatrebuff

  Aug 27, 2017

  A good well written play superbly acted. The relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill was complex and changed throughout the play. There was a lot of tension and you became emotionally involved. The time wizzed past. My friend and I came out wanting to know more about the historical period and the characters.

• C. Williams

  Aug 26, 2017

  A wonderful insight to a period in history that's reviles a great story line. Acted wonderfully and a great night out.

• Alex

  Aug 25, 2017

  A great set of performances from a troupe of hard-working and nuanced actors. It's a shame the script was so heavy on historical exposition and so light on uncovering the emotional depths of some truly fascinating relationships. Romola Garai is capable of so much more, but the Sarah Churchill character develops little throughout the play and gives Garai nothing to work with, but haughty indignation (which she does well). Emma Cunniliffe's Queen Anne is humane and likeable, but the depth of her suffering and resilience is too often lost in the mire of weighty plot. The songs were truly awful (I cringed) and companies like the RSC should really be above shoe-horning substandard musical interludes into otherwise serious plays. Worth it for the performances.

• W Courcoux

  Aug 25, 2017

  Excellent production!

• LN

  Aug 25, 2017

  A very engaging historical play, it definitely helps to know something of the key political characters of the day, as well as the lead-up to Anne's accession to the throne, before you see this. Wonderful acting, clever set and scenery changes make the performance very fluid and fast-moving. The dim lighting is authentic, but eventually rather tiring, as this is a long piece. Queen Anne appears as a vulnerable, but essentially humane and responsible monarch. I think the play could take this further if her development over the years, both personal and within her relationship with Sarah Churchill were given greater emphasis.

• David

  Aug 25, 2017

  This is an excellent entertainment. The characters are intelligently and touchingly portrayed; the plot is full of political and religious intrigue. It's brilliantly acted by the RSC and greatly enhanced by the use of live musicians. Highly recommended.

• Janet

  Aug 25, 2017

  Witty and brilliant. The acting was arresting, A great depiction of the political intrigues and power struggles of that age with interesting parallels to the present day. A must-see show.

• Rina

  Aug 25, 2017

  Queen Anne did not immediately ring the bell. But after this performance, I am in awe and in love with the queen, the history, and the powerful actors and actresses. The usage of the beautiful wooden stage was cleverly done throughout the play. Songs and dances were fun to watch and shook up the audience and atmosphere. The characters were well chosen as well as extremely professionally well played. I am a fan - go watch it yourself - this play is way too underrated !!!

• Teri-Lorelle

  Aug 23, 2017

  The show went over my head and I didn't quite get it. I wasn't sure of the storyline so the show dragged a bit. All in all it wasn't what I was expecting. However, the actors delivered their parts fairly well particularly Queen Anne.

• Anne

  Aug 23, 2017

  A brilliant production - a really brilliant and interesting play. Combined history and entertainment and is well worth seeing.

• Daisy W

  Aug 22, 2017

  Wow. A riveting play, full of political and emotional intensity but also very entertaining, brilliantly acted. I'm haunted by the voice of Queen Anne.

• Maureen

  Aug 21, 2017

  Highly entertaining g

• Ian and Francoise

  Aug 19, 2017

  We thoroughly enjoyed the play. It exceeded our expectations-well acted, informative and gripping plot. We would highly recommended it to our friends

• Mai Peterson

  Aug 18, 2017

  First class, outstanding play, at times gripping. I fully recommend it,

• Annelise Goodsir

  Aug 16, 2017

  This was an absolutely brilliant production. Fantastic performances from all the actors, the actress playing Queen Anne was simply superb. Wonderful sets, costumes, atmosphere. One of the best plays I have seen!

• Lizzie

  Aug 16, 2017

  This was a great play - brilliantly acted by the two female leads and the ensemble. A very interesting period of history excellently brought to life and the relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill was vividly brought to life.

• Issy

  Aug 16, 2017

  Great show, very interesting to learn more about one of the least known Queens. Very well acted and set was fantastic.

• Bill Ives

  Aug 15, 2017

  Last night I saw the powerful, and extremely well acted, history play, the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Queen Anne. The work centered on the intense relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill, First Duchess of Marlborough. Initially, they were very close as Sarah and her husband, John, guided many of Anne's actions. When Anne came more into her own and began to make decisions herself, Sarah reacted negatively. Finally, she went too far and was thrown out of Court. This happened despite the fact that her husband, The first Duke of Marlborough and a capable soldier, led England to some of its greatest victories over the French including the Battle of Blenheim. The Churchills were rewarded with Blenheim Place outside Oxford, that I visited earlier. The palace was where Winston Churchill spent much of his boyhood. It was interesting to learn the back story not reported on that site. Eventually, both Sarah and John had to flee to Europe and did not return to complete the palace until after Anne's death. John died first and Sarah completed it in its grandeur to honor him and her ambition, but the excess was controversial in its day. Sarah's diary gave Anne a bad reputation that lasted for years but more recent historians have recognized Anne's contribution to the rise of prosperity and the arts that occurred during her reign. I fact checked every detail in the Wikipedia and its seems that all the side plots and main events are completely accurate.

• James Hope

  Aug 15, 2017

  Best play have seen all year and incredible costumes too!

• Daniel

  Aug 15, 2017

  Conflicts of personalities and policies are bought into sharp relief by the focussed acting of a brilliant cast. The look and feel of the production convincing transports us back to the early 18th Century.

• Olivia Mace

  Aug 15, 2017

  A beautifully written and well told story with women at the centre of the plot who's narratives were not driven by men or romance! A rarity. Gorgeous performances too. Maybe a little longer than it needed to be.

• Manta61

  Aug 15, 2017

  I really enjoyed this, a wonderfully developing battle between two women who try to push through their agendas for different reasons. Thoroughly enjoable and interesting.

• Londoner

  Aug 12, 2017

  It's a good night out at the theatre when you can admire great acting and also learn something new. I wasn't very clued up on this time in history but this play has given me a thirst to learn more. The acting was excellent throughout, the set was very atmospheric and the play went by very quickly. Go and see it before the time runs out!

• Chris

  Aug 11, 2017

  Wonderful examination of the relation ship between Anne and Marlborough but could have shown a little more of their closeness before the betrayal and manipulation. Great reprise of a disputed historical era.