Handbagged at dusk! A wonderful, playful peek into the lives of two formidable women.

Reviewed by: Kitty McCarron, 14/04/2014

Great night out? For those looking for a twinkling and mischievous evening, with lots of laughs, perfect for Date Night.
Best bit? 'I challenge you to a 'Kinnock Off!'.'
Recommend to friends? I'd recommend this to my mother, because she remembers the eighties and those 90s babies I took with me, because it got everyone sniggering.
Morning after effect? Fenella Woolgar's Maggie accent is so spookily spot on, I'm still not sure it wasn't actually The Baroness herself.
Verdict 5 out of 5 stars.

For 11 years, Her Majesty the Queen met with her most powerful subject, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, in weekly meetings, the content of which was never divulged, until now.

Moira Buffini's fantastically speculative play casts Maggie and Liz in a wonderfully playful new light, as their younger and older selves battle through their famous relationship,discussing the highs and lows of their decade together, and navigating conflicting options with aplomb. The handbags are ever-present as we get the other side of the coin, on events that happened the 80's, ranging from The Falklands passing by Nancy Regan's motorcade, and on to the infamous Sunday Times piece that put the cat among the pigeons between the Palace and Downing Street.

For the younger viewers, a guide is provided in the form of Neet Mohan and Jeff Rawle, who play side characters that bring to life the faces and personalities that intrigued, inspired and sometimes aggravated the two elegantly coiffured ladies of state (Highlights include Neet's immaculate Nancy Regan, and a 'Kinnock-off' that is to be beheld!).

Both versions of Maggie and Liz are played to spectacular, almost chillingly accurate accord by Stella Gonnet, Fenella Woolgar, Marion Bailey and Lucy Robinson respectively. Whereas our Margaret, with support from an ever chipper Dennis, is a portrayal in line with the recent output (The Iron Lady et al), it is The Queen that seems to stray from the tight-lipped Mirrenesque image of recent years, Buffini writes her as a cheerful, self-aware and grounded woman, with a healthy interest in gossip and kind, almost socialist outlook, that makes me wish and hope with all my might that this is really our sovereign, in all her glory, when behind closed doors.

This is theatre for the 21st century, with meta references starting the performance 'Whatever we say must stay between these 3 walls' says her Madge as she starts the show, inviting us in and making cheery references to the interval, which falls when she wants it to, much to Mrs Thatcher's chagrin as she booms: 'We'll carry on all the way through!'

As with the talented actors performances, the costumes, hair and make-up and styling is wonderfully accurate, and fun. The Queen appears in a neutral, but bright yellow, radiating warmth and compassion, next to Margaret's strictly conservative blues and heels. Played on a mostly white set , that compliments, when transformed, with lighting and sound, to deliver speeches to parliament or be the Queens sitting room wonderfully.

My overarching opinion of this fantastically witty, well written and en pointe piece is that it's just the sort of history lesson we need, fun, informative and not afraid to take the bull by the horns if needs be. Bit like its leading ladies then.

View our show pages for more information about Handbagged, Vaudeville Theatre.