Handbagged, 25.03.25
Handbagged
The Curve Leicester
Moira Buffini’s Handbagged returns to the stage at The Curve, offering a clever, witty exploration of Margaret Thatcher’s 11-year tenure as Prime Minister through the lens of her weekly meetings with Queen Elizabeth II. Buffini’s 2013 political comedy cleverly intertwines sharp humour with historical insight with Thatcher’s brash, unapologetic political stance set against the Queen’s more reserved, poised figurehead role. These weekly encounters, rumoured to be fraught with tension, are captured with younger and older versions of the characters sharing the stage. Sarah Moyle plays the older “Q”, paired with Helen Reuben’s younger “Liz”, while Morag Cross portrays the older “T” alongside Emma Ernest as younger “Mags”.
The Queen is portrayed with impeccable vowels and smiles, her voice holding just the right note of royal restraint, while being a staunch defender of the people; although Thatcher doesn’t shy away from pointing out the irony of the Queen advocating for a system relying on taxes that she doesn’t actually contribute to.
Visually, Katie Lias’ set design focuses predominantly on the Queen, with a giant pound coin featuring her silhouette looming overhead. Though the set leans heavily into this representation, it serves to balance the script’s emphasis on Thatcher. The juxtaposition of these two figures, particularly as portrayed by the talented cast, is a joy to watch as they bicker and banter their way through political history.
It’s a carefully crafted critique, with the jokes often poking fun at Thatcher, who, despite her monumental impact, is not spared from Buffini’s sharp wit. Through sharp exchanges, the audience learns of Thatcher’s admiration for Enoch Powell, her stance against sanctions for apartheid-era South Africa, and her insistence that she is not a racist. These moments are both chilling and telling, with Thatcher’s pride in her legacy often colliding with her more controversial beliefs.
One of the highlights of the production is the casting, with Cassius Konneh and Dennis Herdman delivering standout performances. Both actors triple up on roles, mostly a series of politicians from the likes of Michael Heseltine to Ronald Reagan and even Nancy Reagan. The pair on occasion question their role, bringing a meta-theatrical element and a layer of complexity to the play as it prompts the audience to reflect the role media plays in the perception of an era, acting as a reminder that people must speak up to avoid those in power glossing over events they’d rather not be reminded of.
For those of us who may not have experienced Thatcher’s era firsthand, the production provides a helpful historical context. The intermittent remarks and narrative interruptions shed light on key events, like the Falklands war and riots in the summer Charles and Diana married, which may otherwise be unfamiliar to younger audiences.
For those audiences who lived through Thatcher’s time, much of the content may be familiar, but Handbagged succeeds in drawing modern parallels—especially in its critique of how protest movements were crushed during Thatcher’s era. The most prescient moment comes during Neil Kinnock’s “I warn you…” speech, which prophetically outlines the political landscape we find ourselves in today, offering a chilling reminder of how little has changed in certain quarters of British politics.
In the end, Handbagged offers an engaging, enjoyable watch. Whether or not the depictions of Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher are entirely accurate, the interplay between the two women, their differing personalities, and the politics of the time make for a compelling theatrical experience. It’s a thought-provoking yet accessible reminder of the power these figures held, and the enduring impact of their decisions.
