Bloody Mary and the Nine Day Queen

This is musical tackles an interesting and turbulent time when succession to the English throne was thrown into question, and Lady Jane’s brief time with the crown ends tragically at the hands of Mary Tudor. It’s an ambitious premise that delivers moments of power, though the production ultimately struggles to find it’s footing between historical drama and musical pastiche.

The score by Gareth Hides and Anna Unwin has echoes of Les Misérables and Lloyd-Webber that highlight the tragic moments extremely well, but it is when the musical veers into broad parody and over the top comedy where it jars and literally loses the plot. Leaving the musical confused and not knowing what it really wants to be. However, there are these powerful, poignant, and at times soaring ballads that do give voice to the duty, faith, and the weight of the crown. Building tension that is then unfortunately lost.

The cast are in great voice and the harmonies in the opening number were a striking moment. With so many powerful ballads everyone one of them gets their moment. But it is Anna Unwin as Lady Jane that stands out. She is the one character and performance that can show us how it felt to be a pawn in family’s connivance for power. Totally watchable throughout. As Bloody Mary, Cezarah Bonner has a wonderful voice which truly soars, but as written becomes the two-dimensional archetypal villain with only moments of inner feelings which is a real shame.

The book itself is where this musical needs more development. Rushing through crucial political machinations while lingering too long on repetitive struggles with faith and emotional pleading. The pacing sags noticeably in the first act and includes too much comic relief sub plot surrounding the court advisors. Whose unbelievability feels inconsistent with the weighty subject matter.

Bloody Mary and the Nine Day Queen has much potential and contains genuine talent. However, the musical never quite transcends it’s limitations to become the powerful historical piece it aspires to be. With some tightening and perhaps score revision this could develop into something special. At present this fight for the crown fades into history again all too quickly.


Photo credit: Colin Perkins.