Helen Edmundson’s gripping play tells the little-known story of a monarch caught between friendship and duty.
1702. William III is on the throne and England is on the verge of war.
Princess Anne is soon to become Queen, and her advisors vie for influence over the future monarch. Who can Anne turn to when even her most trusted friends seem bent on pursuing power?
Contending with deceit and blackmail, Anne must decide where her allegiances lie, and whether to sacrifice her closest relationships for the sake of the country.
Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Queen Anne premiered at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in November 2015, and was revived at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, in 2017.
‘A rich and satisfying drama with two splendidly meaty female central characters’
— Evening Standard
‘As regal and captivating as the best historical royal dramas. One might say it’s fit for a Queen’
— Radio Times
‘Fascinating… Edmundson is particularly good on the intricacies of court politics… it is invigorating to see a play that shows women exercising power’
— Guardian
‘An intelligent and enjoyable history play’
— Financial Times
‘Enthralling… provides two absolutely terrific female roles’
— WhatsOnStage
‘A fascinating history play with uncanny modern parallels’
— Telegraph
‘A richly textured, modern history play… a truly compelling drama’
— The Stage
