Review: BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT, Arts Theatre Cambridge - Tour
Photo credit: Robert Day
“My clothes speak for me, so I want to make sure they are saying the right thing.” So says Queen Elizabeth II in Daisy Goodwin’s By Royal Appointment, a play exploring the Queen, her wardrobe, and how her clothes came to become such an iconic part of her reign.
This isn’t By Royal Appointment’s first outing, but this latest iteration stars Jane Asher as the Queen. At 80, Asher convincingly portrays the monarch from the age of 46 through to her death at 96, looking fabulous throughout.
The play begins in 2022, on the day of the late Queen’s funeral, where we meet The Dresser, affectionately known to the Queen as Gigi. She is approached by a curator who wants to put together a collection of the Queen’s most iconic outfits and explore the symbolism behind them. The curator asks Gigi if she remembers which outfits were worn on particular occasions.
We are then transported back to 1969 and the impending investiture of King Charles at Caernarfon Castle. Here, we meet The Designer, played by David Robb, and the wily Australian Milliner, played by Matthew Cottle. They discuss why particular choices were made for the Queen’s outfit and, similarly, why the hat was designed in the way it was.
Over the course of the play, we follow the lives of The Designer, The Milliner and The Dresser, learning about their personalities, quirks and relationships with the Queen. Along the way, we see recreations of some of the iconic outfits worn by the Queen throughout her reign.
The play itself is informative and, at times, very heartwarming in the way that the Queen interacts with her staff. There is a strong nostalgic quality to the piece as it revisits moments from history. It isn’t necessarily a play that you would return to time and time again, but Goodwin’s writing is lighthearted and playful, which helps make the production an enjoyable watch.
Asher carries a state of debonair about her. She is poised and elegant, yet there is a softness to her performance. Her mannerisms and movements feel very much what you’d imagine the Queen to have been like. As the character ages, Asher’s voice gradually takes on a frailty that effectively reflects the Queen’s advancing years.
Last night, however, there were a few moments when it became apparent that Asher had forgotten some lines. On the first occasion, Laura Main’s Dresser was able to pick up the moment with a prompt. On the second, all four actors on stage found themselves bumbling through the dialogue, creating an awkward moment for the audience. Dropped lines happen in live theatre, but it is always helpful when fellow cast members can pick them up seamlessly.
Laura Main is, on the whole, excellent as The Dresser. Gigi is a real firecracker of a character, which isn’t necessarily what you would expect from someone working so closely with the Queen. It feels as though Goodwin’s writing gives Main plenty of opportunity to expand the character, and she gives a lovely portrayal.
The Designer, played by David Robb, and The Milliner, played by Matthew Cottle, have a lovely chemistry on stage. Both are gay men working for the Queen at a time when homosexuality was still heavily frowned upon. The Designer has worked for the Queen for many years, while The Milliner is arriving to create his first hat for her in 1969.
Cottle’s character certainly adds humour to the piece. His Australian accent is, for the most part, on point, but it is his facial expressions that make him particularly enjoyable to watch.
Over the course of the Queen’s lifetime, she did in fact work with several different designers and milliners. However, it feels as though the production has brought these individuals together to create a more cohesive theatrical piece rather than introducing multiple characters, and it certainly works well.
The set design is very simple, consisting largely of a regal sofa and table that create the backdrop for the Queen’s various properties. This works effectively, as it means there are no large-scale set changes. Instead, the focus remains on the costumes, which are brought on and off stage as the story progresses.
The drapes surrounding the stage are then lit in the colour of the outfit being discussed, creating a simple but effective visual connection between the clothing and the story being told.
By Royal Appointment is an engaging and informative piece of theatre. For those who loved the Queen, there is plenty to enjoy, but you certainly don’t need to have a particular interest in fashion for the play to be relevant. It is a nostalgic, lighthearted and enjoyable evening at the theatre.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Emma Littler
