A reimagined revival of Moira Buffini’s comedy Handbagged will tour across England from February to May produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in partnership with the National Theatre. The England-wide tour is part of the Theatre Nation Partnerships network which is led by the National Theatre and aims to support regional arts organisations in strengthening their relationships with local audiences, communities and schools.Â
Imagining the conversations between two of history’s most revered female leaders, Handbagged is a fly-on-the-wall look at what might have happened when Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher came face-to-face in the privacy of the palace. Directed by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Alex Thorpe, this fresh interpretation of the play will feature new music composed for the show, a cappella singing, and remixed pop classics of the iconic era. A clever and fiercely funny comedy, Handbagged explores the intense relationship that two female powerhouses formed over a decade, and the legacy they each left behind.
Ahead of the show heading out on tour we sat down with director Alex Thorpe to learn more.
What can you tell me about Handbagged?Â
Handbagged is an Olivier Award Winning, witty comedy by Moira Buffini. It imagines the story of the 11 years of private meetings between Queen Elizabeth II & Margaret Thatcher during their time as monarch & Prime Minister.
 What attracted you to this piece?
I first read the play in 2013 and was immediately drew to its satirical handling of the huge events. I’ve loved Moira’s other works. I’m a big fan of programmes such as Veep & The Thick of It and I wanted to offer our audiences in Hornchurch & across the UK a great night out.
 How do you prepare ahead of the run? Did you do much research into the piece whilst developing your own ideas?
I’ve read and watched lots. More than I have for any other play. I’m sure I could read about these two women for my whole life and still get nowhere near competing the full reading list. The events that take place in the play are real events. Our protagonist’s were actually there. They made them happen. The more I can understand about those meetings, their relationship and work they did, the more detail and imagine I can inject into our story.
 What is it like when you’re telling a fictional story based on real life people?
It’s not really a fictional story for us in the rehearsal room. I couldn’t believe my luck when I found Queen Elizabeth II & Margaret Thatcher on spotlight and they wanted to tell their story. So I’m not sure I understand the question.
 How important is it to honour the lives and legacy of the two women?
I’m not sure that’s what the play does. Moira hasn’t written an ode to the Queen & Thatcher. Their story is complicated. Troublesome. Difficult. Like everyone’s. So that’s the thing I want to draw out. Humans, including the Queen & PM are complicated and power only magnifies that.
 How vital has the collaboration with the National Theatre been?
The National Theatre’s Theatre Nation Partnerships has created an environment that allows us to programme and share ambitious work, especially drama, to audiences that have reducing access to such productions. Not only that but they have championed and supported the ambition of the piece and pushed me personally to create the story I want to tell. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
 Where did your arts career begin?
I always like to shout out some of the incredible teachers & youth theatre leaders I had back home in Kendal, Cumbria. Mrs McCloud, Trish Gordon, Jason Brown, Jen Harley, Liz Dale. I was the first in my family to go to university, let alone drama school. My three years at Central School of Speech & Drama was an early springboard into working as an Assistant Director before training on the MfA Theatre Directing programme at Birkbeck.
 How do you reflect on your own career to date?
I’m very proud of my career to date. It’s very much underpinned by my commitment to and interest in making work with & for communities. Alongside my work at the RSC, I would often travel the country co-directing local festivals of Shakespeare with school teachers and community leaders. For 6 years I travelled around the UK and Ireland as a National Theatre Connections Director meeting the most incredibly hard working and ambitious youth theatre leaders and drama teachers. So helming the largest Theatre Nations Partnership tour, visiting many of the places I also went to as a connections director for the NT & Associate Learning Practitioner for the RSC feels like a homecoming.
 What advice would you give to any wannabe directors?
It used to be a marathon. It’s now an ultra marathon. Career progression is not linear. Moving the Arts Council for two years was the best career move I could have ever made. I felt like I was leaving the industry but in fact, I was just refreshing myself, learning more. That side step opened up so much for me. So don’t be afraid to take a chance.
 What keeps you inspired?
My daughter. If I have a job and career I love, I hope this will inspire her to follow the things she loves.
What would you want an audience member to take away from seeing the show?
I’d absolutely love someone to jump on their phone and google ‘Did X event really happen?’. That way I’ll know I’ve peaked their interest.
TICKETS: https://keytheatre-peterborough.com/event/handbagged/
