The Nine Day Queen

May 14, 2024

14th-19th May 2024

The Barons Court Theatre website tells us that The Nine-Day Queen interrogates female resistance and celebrates the power of sisterhood in the face of adversity and this is most certainly an accurate description of this thought-provoking piece by company Founder & Director Jen Tucker.

The Nine-Day Queen is a story of two students, Lena and Rita who are forced to overcome a shocking experience after a vicious attack on Lena puts her a coma. Rita, riddled with irrational guilt sits by her side for nine days and overcome by rage and grief, she begins to hallucinate. Cue the appearance of Lady Jane Grey. For nine days, Rita and Lady Jane teach each other to be brave in a world where women’s bravery can feel futile. An intergenerational exploration of female plight through the ages.

Following their debut production of The Defamation at Appleyard Arts, Itchy Feet Theatre company will undoubtedly feel proud of their second production The Nine Day Queen at Barons Court Theatre.

“This is a young company who have set their standards high and will no doubt go on to create many more meaningful productions.”

There are a variety of settings depicted by some bold lighting changes, music and simple but effective use of black moveable boxes. We meet the two school friends Rita and Lena who share their teenage experiences and learn of the developing relationship between Lena and one particular boy who has prompted attention with the sharing of inappropriate images. Something which doesn’t seem to bother Lena, but certainly concerns Rita. (Suddenly my parental head is spinning at the prospect of my own daughter having these conversations in a few years.)

The first act establishes the characters and introduces us to Lady Jane Grey who appears in Rita’s hallucination. We learn of the incident which puts Lena into an ICU and Rita’s determination to be there for her. However, it is largely one dimensional and there is a lack of depth for these three characters who all have their own trauma to deal with.

Act two is quite the contrast. Throughout the play the writer deploys the use of a ‘dear diary’ and in act two this is used to update us on Lena’s health status and to give us a deeper insight into Rita’s psyche. We start to understand where her mistrust of men comes from.

This character exploration continues with Lady Jane Grey challenging Rita, pushing her to delve deeper and find that bravery she so desperately desires. We see their relationship develop as they discuss their respective lives and highlight the injustices women faced in the sixteenth century, comparing them to exploitation and mistreatment today. The message is clear. It is the same battle women have had throughout the centuries. There is now a bond between the characters and we feel empathy, we are behind them and share their frustrations.

This is a didactic play where we are encouraged to think objectively and challenge our own thought process rather than simply being a passive spectator and there are many moments where this occurs.

There are flashbacks between the two students including a beautifully crafted scene where Lena asks Rita if she might be gay? There is awkwardness, happiness and laughter as the two characters discuss the meaning of pansexual. Maddie White (Rita) and Moya Matthews (Lena) have a natural rapport and an infectious youthful energy which injects fun and a heightened sense of teen drama into their interactions. Samantha Allison portrays Lady Jane Grey with dignity, style and wisdom. Her commanding presence is a guiding light for Rita and the two actors share a number of heartfelt moments. There are some wonderful lines “I liked Guildford. He was an adequate husband” and even an opportunity to squeeze in a political jibe.

This is a young company who have set their standards high and will no doubt go on to create many more meaningful productions.