Reviewed by Kathryn Harrison
Last night (17 April 2018) my mother and I visited The Lowry theatre in Salford Quays, Manchester to watch Mary Stuart. This play is an adaptation of the original play by Friedrich Schiller. It is a dramatization of the events surrounding the execution of Mary Stuart.
The two main actors in this play are Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams. At the start of each performance a coin is tossed to decide who will play Mary Stuart and who will play Elizabeth I. On Tuesday evening Juliet Stevenson played Elizabeth I with Lia Williams as Mary Stuart. Both actresses were flawless in their performances and it would be very interesting to see them play their alternate characters as they each seemed perfect for the role they were chosen for that night.
In addition to the main characters there was a stellar cast of superb actors, I particularly enjoyed Elliot Levey as Burleigh Michael Byrne as Talbot and John Light as Leicester, the verbal sparring between these characters was interesting to watch. I think if you are well read on the Royal Court at this time, like my mother, you would enjoy these characters more than if you had no prior knowledge, like myself.
The set was extremely simple but very effective and was enhanced by the movement of the actors when on stage. The simplicity of the surroundings were matches by the costumes, rather than wearing traditional costumes of the Elizabethan era all the characters were wearing contemporary clothes, mainly suits.
This was a very dramatic and intense play that will definitely entertain theatre goers who have an interest in and understanding of this period in time, although due to the quality of the actors and the strong themes running through the play it can also be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys well produced theatre even without prior knowledge of the subject.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £41.50 (booking fees may apply).
Mary Stuart is at The Lowry in Manchester from 17-21 April 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.thelowry.com or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
