Pacey pageantry

Press, 4 August 1981, Page 6

Pacey pageantry

“Vivat Vivat Regina” by Robert Bolt, directed by Jenny Blumpsky for the Repertory Theatre. August 1 to 8. Running time: 8 p.m. to 10.45 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman.

A production of considerable pomp and pageantry which aimed for the drama of stately intrigue and to a great extent achieved it. This enterprise is undoubtedly one of some difficulty involving as it does a very verbal script with little opportunity to avoid static posturing. That the production managed to maintain its pace and interest is a credit to the large cast and crew. Robert Bolt’s play is concerned with the conflict between the two diametrically opposed Queens of the sixteenth century; Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Bolt views Mary and her cousin as natural complements and develops their interaction to the natural climax of Mary’s execution. Mary, passionate, the leg-

endary femme fatale mirrors Elizabeth the frustrated neurotically deprived spinster. The play thematically inderlines the machinations necessary to retain powers, the immortality and unnaturalness of power. The production had many strengths; its costumes were elaborate and carefully prepared; lighting, the impact of a rostered throne and Elizabeth's dominance in the latter stages of the execution scene were a highlight. The outstanding performance of the evening was that of Cynthia Ward. Her Elizabeth began with strength and her internalised passion grew into a convincing pinch-faced Queen striving, to retain perspective and managing to convey her twisted motivations.

She was most ably supported by Barry Grant as William Cecil, her advisor. Grant’s performance grew with the play and became an important feature of the play’s character and pace. Roger Kemp as John Knox

has a magnificently strong voice which gave the character all the weight necessary for such a shrill cleric. Eva Joel as Mary Queen of Scots, sustained her role with some difficulty. She lacked the passion and commitment to make Mary the dominant woman she must have been. Her role was a crucial one but her efforts were successful in sustaining the action. Alan Collins and Richard Harvest as the principal opponents of the Scottish side of the intrigue worked very well and Harvest in particular, made a determined effort at the Scots brogue. The .number of members in the cast make? it impossible for - individual mention but each in their unique way contributed to the staging of an ambitious The star of the walk-on parts must, however, be the baby playing James of Scotland who managed to upstage the entire company in his brief appearance.