Vivian DeGain Better at 50 Blog
Columnist and arts writerArchive for February, 2012
DETROIT ARTS LIVE AND WORTH WATCHING: Mary Stuart at MBT
Meadow Brook Theatre stages “Mary Stuart,” the Queen of Scots’ last days imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I
By VIVIAN DeGAIN
Published in The Oakland Press Friday, Feb. 17, 2012
There is something honest about rain.
Essential, and like freedom, often taken for granted until scarcity, life’s moments are described as right as rain, washed anew by the rain, or the return of the rain, a time celebrated and ritualized throughout cultures.
This is especially true at Meadow Brook Theatre, currently staging “Mary Stuart,” the Queen of Scots’ last days imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I.
Rain falls on the MBT stage, magically and precisely when showers may have fallen on Mary Stuart.
Artistic Director Travis Walter said, “The special effect took our technical staff hours to perfect – in a design system that would deliver a steady rain of 90 degrees so as not to chill the actor.”
In addition to the rain, the gorgeous period costumes designed by Liz Moore in MBT’s studio, the compelling story, and an excellent cast make this show a must see.
“Mary Stuart” is a story layered in four interpretations: the historical facts about the woman who lived from 1542–1587; an original drama penned and staged in 1800 by Friedrich Schiller; a contemporary adaptation by Peter Oswald, playwright-in-residence at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London from 1996-2005; and through Director Walter’s eyes and interpretation.
“Yes its revisionist history,” Walter said, “but very accessible in the language and in the human characteristics within.”
The audience need not be history buffs, English majors or fans of “The Tudors” in order to “get” the story, but a bit of homework will be well rewarded (see sidebar below).
Walter said, “There could only be one Queen of England. Elizabeth I saw her cousin, Mary, as threat to her throne, so much so that she imprisoned Mary for nearly 20 years before having her beheaded.
“Historical facts are not there to say the two ever met face-to-face. But what might have happened in those last few days if they had? This is what Oswald’s new translation of Schiller’s play explores. In ‘Mary Stuart’ we meet the two rival queens and their closest advisors as one fights to rule and the other simply to live.”
The play – which opened on Broadway in 2009 winning seven Tony Awards — was also a major London hit.
Walter said the fine writing and dialogue allows us to see these two royals as human – real, tarnished and vulnerable.
This view contrasts especially to the Queen Elizabeth often portrayed as ruthless, powerful and emotionless in history or in films, such as Judi Dench’s Elizabeth in “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) and Cate Blanchett’s “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007.)
Meadow Brook Theatre has invested much in this Michigan premiere of “Mary Stuart” and its rich details, staring Julie Gladner (Mary, Queen of Scotland) and Ruth Crawford (Elizabeth, Queen of England).
The excellent cast also features Trudy Mason (Handmaid Hannah Kennedy), Loren Bass (Earl of Leicester and love interest), Thomas D. Mahard (Lord Burleigh), Paul Riopelle (Paulet), Hugh Maguire (Count Aubespine), Mark Rademacher (Earl of Shrewsbury), Jordan Whalen, Peter C. Prouty, Casey Hibbert, Rob Arbaugh and Andrew Danner.
The technical cast includes Terry Carpenter, Brian Kessler, Reid G. Johnson, and Mike Duncan.
While many of the actors have appeared at MBT – the rain is a first.
The water never touches the audience but most everything else in this production will, and for many moments following.
Contact Vivian DeGain at degainvi@comcast.net.
Meadow Brook Theatre presents ‘Mary Stuart’ through March 4. Performances generally at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2, 6 or 8 p.m. on Saturdays; 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Special American Sign Language interpreted performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 22. All tickets: $24-$39, at the MBT box office (248) 377-3300 or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.mbtheatre.com.
‘Mary Stuart’ the history
No need to crack the books, drive to Stratfordor watch “The Tudors” again on PBS, the story is there to see. But a little preparation would be lovely.
From wikipedia: Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567 and Queen Consort of France, 1559 to 1560. The only surviving legitimate child of King James V of Scots, Mary was 6 days old when her father died and crowned nine months later. In 1558, (at age 15) she married Francis, Dauphin of France. He ascended the French throne as King Francis II in 1559 with Mary as his queen until she was widowed (at almost age 18) on 5 December 1560. Mary returned to Scotland and four years later (at age 22) married her first cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Their union was unhappy and Darnley was found dead in February 1567 (she was age 24). She quickly married the 4th Earl of Bothwell, generally believed to be Darnley’s murderer. Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle on 15 June, 1567 (age 24) and fled to England seeking the protection of her first cousin once removed, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Queen Elizabeth, Protestant, had her arrested to protect her throne. Queen Mary, Catholic, was imprisoned for 18 years and 9 months, then was executed for treason when she was age 44.
Highly recommended is the two-page guide available from ACT, A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle since 1965, acttheatre.org. Download www.acttheatre.org/Downloads/Mary%20Stuart%20sg.pdf
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