Moira Buffini’s reimagined fly-on-the-wall comedy about Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher.
A reimagined revival of Moira Buffini’s comedy Handbagged will tour across England from February to May produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in partnership with the National Theatre.
Imagining the conversations between two of history’s most revered female leaders, Handbagged is a fly-on-the-wall look at what might have happened when Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher came face-to-face in the privacy of the palace. Over the course of a decade did the Monarch and the Iron Lady ever find a common ground, or did their stiff upper lips reign supreme?
Directed by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Alex Thorpe, this fresh interpretation of the play will feature new music composed for the show, a cappella singing and remixed pop classics of the iconic era. This is a very clever and fiercely funny comedy, exploring the intense relationship between two of history’s most revered female leaders, and the legacy they each left behind.
Casting for Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II includes, as ‘Mags’, Emma Ernest who has previously appeared as Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe, 2024), and portraying ‘Liz’, Helen Reuben after previously playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret (English Theatre Frankfurt, 2019) and the title role in Pictures of Dorian Gray (Jermyn Street Theatre, 2019). Appearing as 'T' and 'Q', the older versions of the main characters, are Morag Cross who previously appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, 2016, 2018 & 2022) and Sarah Moyle best known for playing the much-loved series regular ‘Valerie’ in BBC’s Doctors. Further casting includes Cassius Konneh and Gerard McDermott who will multirole the 17 other characters in the play. Completing the ensemble is Tiajna Amayo and Jane Quinn.
Listings
6 February – 22 February 2025
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Ln, Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Previews | £12.50 – £19.50, Mon – Thu & Matinees | £19 – £27 | Fri & Sat | £21.50 – £29
Under 26s | £8 all performances
BSL interpreted (Interpreter Martin Fox-Roberts): Wed 19 Feb | 7:30pm
Audio Described: Available at all performances after Wed 12 Feb
Tickets: Handbagged - Queens Theatre