“Life,” insists Charles Stuart, “is unfair.” His 30-years-younger wife, Louise de Stolberg, can only agree: passing yourself off as the Queen of England while living in Florence with a coarse, cantankerous and bitter Pretender for a husband is a fate that can be alleviated only but taking lovers – lots of them.

Written by George Rosie, a Scottish writer with an eye for history’s quirkier corners, this unusual play, based largely on historical fact, focuses on Bonnie Prince Charlie’s later days – no longer bonnie or a prince, he’s deluded enough to imagine that the English throne still awaits him. Louise’s discontent and infidelities, Charles’ drink-sodden irascibility and the machinations of agents of the English crown lead to a vitriolic showdown.

Joseph Cecchi gives an accomplished performance as the indolent, unpleasant Charles. Elsa May’s pert, lively portrayal of Louise emphasises the contrast in the royal pair’s ages and temperaments, and Emmett Hardie’s mobile features and finely nuanced acting make Sir Horace Mann, the scheming English diplomat, perhaps the most interesting character in the whole sad and sorry tale.  

Paul Ellicott as Count Vittorio Alfieri, Louise’s lover, Sarah McCallion as Catherine de Maltzam, her lady-in-waiting, Christopher Summers as Jonathan Rudd, Mann’s accomplice, and Robert Free as Charles’ tolerant servant John Stewart complete the cast.

Nigel Ensor’s production of this intriguing drama drew a sizeable audience, and appreciative applause, at the Globe on Thursday night. 
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News.  

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer

Carluccio and the Queen of Hearts by George Rosie is a story of political plotting and lost dreams. The royal blood of Charles Edward Stuart and Louise de Stolberg has been degraded to such a state that their intimate laundry items are being searched and every detail of their boredom-filled lives are thoroughly reported to opposing political factions who pull strings from afar. 

The sparsely attended production at the Globe Theatre on Friday night treated us to an interesting array of accents and characters.

Carluccio, played ably by Joseph Cecchi, burps, farts and rants his sottish way through the play, gradually alienating everyone around him. Chris Summers’ character Jonathan Rudd sums him up nicely with the line, “The man’s a wreck. He’s not dying – he’s disintegrating.”

The foul-mouthed Rudd is contrasted nicely with the flamboyantly cultured Sir Howard Mann. This eloquent role is relished by Emmett Hardie, who also provides us with a bit of modernity every now and then with a flash of denim jeans. This plotting duo commentate their way through the play and salivate over the sordid details of the ‘English Court’.

Their object of focus is of course the Queen of Hearts. Elsa May fills the stage with the full gamut of emotion inspired by the passionate Louise de Stolberg. She prances from petulant to coquettish to the utmost despair without missing a beat. 

Paul Ellicott as Count Vittorio Alfieri fills the stage with his rich voice. Not to be missed are Sarah McCallion’s hilarious attempts at seducing the unwilling Count. This of course is all part of another plot. Robert Free is perfect as the dour Scots servant whose sidelong glances tell all. 

The tedium of being trapped by lost dreams was well portrayed on stage by this definitely irreverent but not necessarily fast-paced play. 
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News.   

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer