Find out what critics have been saying about Daisy Goodwin’s play that imagines Queen Victoria revisiting her diaries.
The Guardian: *** “Sophie Drake’s fleet-footed production swerves the play’s contradictions and repetitions, and unsettles a myth of stodgy royal contentment.”
WhatsOnStage: ***** “Sophie Drake’s sensitive direction perfectly complements Goodwin’s writing. Alex Berry’s set is an intriguing wonder of mirrors that reveal a huge library of books, all subtly lit by Ben Jacobs. Berry’s period costumes are indeed glorious and Asaf Zohar’s sound design and musical compositions weave the action together in this highly original and exciting evening.”
British Theatre Guide: “While Amanda Boxer’s Victoria is fully in control of herself and her subjects, Jessica Rhodes plays her younger counterpart with a vivacious energy that is as powerful as it is disarming. Rhodes expertly delves into the role of a woman divided, conflicted between husband, family and duty, dependence and independence, frivolity and pain. Playful, passionate, purposeful and poignant, Jessica gives an extraordinary performance.”
Fairy Powered Productions: **** “The play captivated me from start to finish, offering a fresh perspective on the world of royalty. Its approach invites audiences to reconsider what lies beneath the surface of the monarchy, a theme relevant to other royal families around the globe. Congratulations to everyone involved in this production. See! A great production in lovely surroundings.”
Broadway World: ***** “Sophie Drake’s direction handles its subject matters with nuance and sensitivity, portraying both Victoria and Albert as victims of circumstance as his desire for power grows throughout each of her nine pregnancies. The decision to have both Victorias watch each other is a masterful one, capturing the tension of the past and present as both challenge their versions of events.”
The Stage: **** “Unsettling new drama from Daisy Goodwin reassessed the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.”
Stage Talk Magazine: ***** “You don’t need to be a royalist to enjoy this fascinating play. As in the best historical fiction, every imagined event is plausible, making us think again about the past and its ramifications on the present. As in the best theatre, there is even a final unexpected twist.”
All That Dazzles: **** “It is always an extremely difficult task to adapt a historical figure to the stage, especially one as well-known as Queen Victoria, but the Watermill have successfully managed to find a unique and interesting perspective that justifies, a lot better than others, re-visiting this story.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.watermill.org.uk/events/victoria