Imagine Sandy Campbell and Linda Libby on stage at the same
time? Sandy, who so perfectly portrayed
Maria Callas in “Master Class” winning her an award from the San Diego Theatre
Critics Circle and in another, including her portrayal of Lucille Frank in
“Alfred Uhry’s “Parade and Linda Libby, who won the San Diego Theatre Critics
Award in 21013 as Actor of The Year for her body of work that year. That’s big
news!
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| Sandy Campbell and Linda Libby as Queen ElizabethII and Margaret Thatcher |
Add Lisel Gorell-Getz, who just finished her stunning
appearance in “The Virgin Trial” as the now Meg, Thatcher’s fiery younger self
and Debra Wanger (“Angels In America”) as the poised Liz, the younger Queen herself.
Adding to the balance Max Macke plays a series of characters
including Thatcher’s husband, Dennis, Rupert Murdock and Ronald Reagan among
others.
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| Debra Wanger, Max Macke, Durwood Murray and Sandy Campbell |
Durwood Murray plays the second male role. He is about seven
different people, and in an hysterical turn of events comes out in a bright red
skirt and white fancy collared top as Nancy Reagan. It’s one you have to see to
believe.
Put them all under the wings of Kim Strassburger’s superb direction
and the end result is one hell of a production filled with collective surprises,
historical and/or otherwise disclosures and an evening that begs your
attendance.
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| Lisel Gorell-Getz as younger Thatcher, Max Macke as Dennis Thatcher and Linda Libby as older Margret Thatcher |
In a civilized society people in high places usually show
some degree of respect toward one another. Unlike politics in the US especially
now, our present leader tweets; he does not person -to person -talk, at least not
to his opposition. Here there is no civility.
In the U.K. the Queen, who is titular head of state and her
Prime Minister who may be elected from either party, meet at the Queen’s
behest. It could be on a regular basis or not if that’s the case.
When Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister 1979-1990, she and
the Queen met on a regular/weekly basis for eleven years. She was the longest
serving Prime Minister to date. While not so close in friendship, the Queen
attended her funeral, the only one since Churchill, to pay her respects, she was
that impressed.
Margaret Thatcher, otherwise known as ‘The Iron Lady” was
much the conservative and no frills leader contrary to the more centrist ideas
of Queen Elizabeth II. They had their ups and downs, shared different
temperaments; the Queen, they say having a dry wit and Thatcher no humor at
all. The were controversial but always civil, at least in their later
years.
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| Debra Wanger and Sandy Campbell as younger and older Queen Elizabeth II |
Ms. Buffini begins her story somewhat at the beginning of
those meetings and goes back and forth between their younger days when sabers
rattled over the Falkland Islands, high unemployment, the miners strike, apartheid
in Africa, a divided commonwealth and troubles in Northern Ireland, and as a side include mention of the Queen’s dogs, her different residences, her
children. Both husbands manage cursory appearances here and there courtesy
of Mackie.
Both sides get their points of views aired, but what makes
Buffini’s play so wonderful and delicious is not the play itself, but the
actors who breathe life into it; weave it into a comprehensive whole. As the four pair off and separate, come
together we know we are in the midst of seeing two, not just powerhouse actors but powerhouse politicians.
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| Durwood Murray as Kenneth Kaunda (or KK) and Linda Libby as Margaret Thatcher |
Sandy Campbell’s somewhat stooped, slow stepped gait and white
hair and pink silk looking coat and gloves, and three strands of pearls,
(Danita Lee dsigned the costumes) and flats is in stark contrast to Libby’s somewhat royal blue suit, pearls
and scarf with low heeled pumps and long deliberate strides, strides of
confidence and leadership. Both are
carrying ‘handbags’, of course.
Compare the softness but intense stare of Campbell’s eyes to
the piercing almost eagle eye looks from Libby and let me say…that can be a bit
intimidating. You get the picture. It’s all so perfectly timed and well
delivered that at some moments you almost forget you are watching a play as they break the fourth wall. (T.
“She’s ever so small”. Q. “She colors
her hair.” T. “We’re the same age.” Q. “Of the same era. Formed in war.” T. “In
every way, we are peers.”)
Both Wanger and
Gorell-Getz get their One -upmanship as the dueling younger selves are put to
the test of their elder’s memories of the same set of events. No notes were
taken, their meetings were private and accordingly they were the only one’s
who knew what was said unless there were flies on the wall, or playwright Moira
Buffini, whose fun filled suggestions of what might have happened to inspire
this credibly prophetic (“Make Britain great again.”) play come to light and life.
Julie Lorenz set designer gives a simple round about set with
a table on a top tier for serving tea and. In the background painted across the
entire stage is the Union Jack painted by Julie Lorenz. It’s difficult not to notice and a wonderful
visual. Cynthia Bloodgood designed the lighting, Mason Pilevsky the sound,
Missy Bradstreet designed the wigs and the wonderfully talented Vanessa Dinning acted as
dialect coach.
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| Linda Libby as Margaret Thatcher |
It’s a must see and deserves a two thumbs up!
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Nov. 17th
Organization: Moxie Theatre
Phone: 858-598-7620
Production Type: Comedy
Where: 6663 El Cajon Blvd.
Ticket Prices: Start at $33.00
Web: moxietheatre.com
Photo: Daren Scott
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