Moira Buffini’s fly-on-the-wall comedy about Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher has been reimagined with music featuring reworkings of 80s pop classics to tour the UK.
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.
Who is in the cast of the UK tour of Handbagged?
Casting for Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II includes, as ‘Mags’, Emma Ernest who has previously appeared as Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe, 2024), and portraying ‘Liz’, Helen Reuben after previously playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret (English Theatre Frankfurt, 2019) and the title role in Pictures of Dorian Gray (Jermyn Street Theatre, 2019). Appearing as ‘T’ and ‘Q’, the older versions of the main characters, are Morag Cross who previously appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, 2016, 2018 & 2022) and Sarah Moyle best known for playing the much-loved series regular ‘Valerie’ in BBC’s Doctors.
Further casting includes Cassius Konneh and Gerard McDermott who will multirole the 17 other characters in the play. Completing the ensemble is Tiajna Amayo and Jane Quinn.
Who is in the creative team?
Playwright Moira Buffini Director Alex Thorpe
Designer Katie Lias Lighting Designer Ryan Day
Musical Director and Arranger Kate Marlais
Sound Designer Owen Crouch Movement Director Jonnie Riordan
Assistant Director Chani Merrell
Costume Supervisor Chantal Short Casting Director Chloe Bake
Accent Coach Danièle Lydon Design Assistant Victoria Maytom
What is the show Handbagged about?
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.
Are there any accessible performances scheduled?
Check individual venue websites.
Where in the UK is Handbagged playing on tour?
6 – 22 Feb Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
27 Feb – 1 March The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
4 – 8 March Cast, Doncaster
13 — 15 March Key Theatre, Peterborough
18 — 22 March Lowry, Salford
25 — 29 March Curve Theatre, Leicester
1 — 5 April Theatre Royal, Wakefield
8 — 12 April Grand Theatre, Blackpool
22 — 26 April Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
29 April — 3 May Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
6 — 10 May The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
13 — 17 May Northern Stage, Newcastle
20 — 24 May Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
