Casting is today being announced for a new production of Moira Buffini’s biting satire, Handbagged, a co-production between Wiltshire Creative, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and York Theatre Royal, opening at Salisbury Playhouse from 4 – 20 April.
Susan Penhaligon (The Importance of Being Earnest UK tour, 2018; Bouquet of Barbed Wire and A Fine Romance, both ITV) plays The Queen and Sarah Crowden (Grantchester, ITV; The Chalk Garden, Chichester Festival Theatre) plays Margaret Thatcher.
Caroline Harker (The Chalk Garden, Chichester Festival Theatre; Middlemarch, BBC) plays a younger version of the Queen and Eve Matheson (May to December, BBC; Coram Boy, Royal National Theatre) plays a younger Margaret Thatcher.
The cast is completed by Jahvel Hall (Astro Babies, Ovalhouse Theatre) and Andy Secombe (Killing Eve, BBC; Star Wars) who between them play a range of familiar characters including Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Gerry Adams, Arthur Scargill and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The play imagines what might have happened at the Queen’s weekly meetings with Margaret Thatcher while Thatcher was Prime Minister.
Entertainingly told and packed with satirical humour, the two women collide as they share their opposing views of Britain’s role in the world. With a supporting cast of Geoffrey Howe, Denis Thatcher and others, Handbagged is funny, sharp and mischievous.
This production is directed by Jo Newman (Betrayal, Salisbury Playhouse) with design by Dawn Allsopp (Her Naked Skin, Salisbury Playhouse).
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked by calling Ticket Sales on 01722 320333 or by visiting www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk.
