Crown Matrimonial

Sale & Altrincham Messenger's Review

By Lynsey Roberts

It was interesting watching Crown Matrimonial to reflect on how public opinion has changed over the past 70 years. The production, which is holding court at the Garrick Theatre this week, focusses on the controversial relationship between Edward VIII and his American divorcee lover Wallis Simpson. This ultimately led to the abdication of the British monarch in 1936 and provided endless front page fodder for the country’s press.

Compare that situation to the modern Royal family with only one of the Queen’s children yet to divorce and it is fair to say times have changed even if Charles and Camilla did cause a bit of a stir. That’s not to say thatCrown Matrimonial loses significance. It provides a useful insight into the moral compass of a country about to enter war.

Written by Royce Ryton in 1972, this play is certainly linear in its approach, never straying away from the in-house soul searching of Edward’s mother Queen Mary and his siblings. This tunnel vision can make for heavy going but also serves to showcase the stirling work of a small cast who had the job of holding the attention of the packed house for two and a half hours.

Particular praise must go to Carole Carr who hardly left the stage. She played Queen Mary with just the right amount of pomp and ceremony while allowing the audience to see the inner turmoil tearing her between her roles as mother and monarch. I also enjoyed the brief appearances of Hugh Everett who put on an excellent portrayal of Bertie (the Duke of York and later King George VI).

The stand out piece of direction was without a doubt the reading of the abdication speech by Edward incorporating audio footage and giving us our sole glimpse of Mrs Simpson. It helped give this significant occasion a real sense of gravitas and pulled at the heart strings. I am by no accounts a monarchist but everyone can find something to take from this stately performance.