Zoo Southside hosts a magnificent piece of theatre in The Queen Is Mad, written and directed by Amy Clare Tasker, with music composed by Tom James McGrath. The musical play is presented by Castile Collective Ltd in association with Pinecone Performance Lab.
Maria Coyne plays Joanna, bringing grace and elegance to the role of the future Queen of Castile. She begins as a statue who steps into the story, awakened by two men – one an expert on the historical content and the other an impartial viewer.
This sets the tone for curiosity, intrigue and gaining an insight into the character of Joanna, overshadowed and brutally treated by the men in her life. When first wedded to Philip, she sings the praises of their love, their significant union and how it feels like happiness and freedom.
It is short-lived because Philip wants his wife to stay quietly happy, trusting and inferior to him, but Joanna is lively, with many ideas circulating which she would like to bring to fruition. Due to the understanding of her future notions, distance comes between them and she finds he has a mistress and reacts defiantly.
The likelihood of Joanna inheriting the throne was negligible, but after many letters in sequence announcing the death of family members, it becomes her turn and she goes to Spain. The tragedy with this is that Joanna would make a very fine Queen – she is refined, articulate and optimistic – but lurking around the corner, her own father hatches a plot with Philip to proclaim her insane.
One of the principal musical compositions highlights the concept of ‘disobedience’, and Maria Coyne, along with Robert Finlayson and Brian Raftery, sing their versions reaching impressive notes and pitches with finesse, style and a prominent stage presence. It is powerful theatre and there is not a moment of non-anticipation as it is impactful and has a striking effect.
Although depicting the 16th-century story, with Joanna there is a sense of modernity and quiet wit. Indeed, she has unlimited strength it appears, but the ultimate betrayal then occurs. This is the sword through her heart – the unbelievable.
The music pushes the plot along and each scene projects the stages of Joanna’s prospective life. The costume designer, Eve Mary Oakley, has excelled with multi-purpose materials, both beautiful and practical.
She was named ‘Joanna the Mad’ but this play offers another perspective – the lady is furious and surrounded by people with ulterior motives and harmful actions toward her. It feels like a privilege to have seen this play focused on Joanna.
