Moira Buffini’s Handbagged reimagined for a new UK tour

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

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