Elizabeth and Raleigh: Late but Live is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was definitely mine. A little deconstructed historical re-enactment with some creative anachronisms, cool costumes and lots of laughs. Written by Stewart Lee it was quite a departure from his infamous Jerry Springer The Opera and nary a swear word in sight.
We were welcomed (after some jolly Elizabethan dance music) by Raleigh (Miles Jupp) with a bit of stand up in praise of the wonderful potato and PowerPoint enhanced tales of his exploits. This included a guest appearance by Jimmy Carr as a Court Jester. We were introduced to Prince Tinymeat (Jane Watkins) dressed as an Native American supposedly brought back from the New World, who provided the musical accompaniment for the show, playing some modern and period instruments such as the harpsichord. I loved the music, much of which was modern, such as their love duet ‘Love Lifts us up where we Belong’
Finally Queen Elizabeth made her appropriately glorious entrance from behind the audience in full Faery Queen mode, forcing those in the front rows to move aside so she could climb over the seats with the aid of Raleigh. Simon Munnery was a genius bit of casting, he was magnificent as Elizabeth I, just oozing regal charisma, with a twinkle in the eye and an edge of dangerous, unpredictability. The costumes were well executed, though the fabrics were a little cheap and tatty (this may have been deliberate) my favourite was the Queen’s footwear – crocs sandals painted with glitter and bejewelled.
This play begins with Raleigh in high favour and his gradual fall from Elizabeth’s affections. We were treated to the routing of the Spanish Armada portrayed by Elizabeth & Raleigh sporting huge galleons on their heads, and Elizabeth let out her frustrations by jumping on a trampoline. I felt that Stewart Lee just wanted to see a lady in a farthingale jumping on a trampoline. It reminded me of the bouncing nuns in the film Bedazzled. The play moved into some dark areas of jealousy and betrayal and the possibility of Raleigh’s execution. Raleigh was stripped bare and forced to eat some humble (mashed potato) pie.
Apparently this was a sequel to last years show with the same characters and I’d heard some reports that it was ‘not as good as last year, grumble, grumble’ but I was completely entranced and delighted by this wonderful show. I’m not a fan of Jerry Springer, which is probably why I didn’t find the opera all that appealing, but as a student of Elizabeth history I preferred Elizabeth and Raleigh: Late but Live.
Visit the Fringe Website for booking details.