Empress Bloody Mary opens Sunday 6th December at The Water Rats, exploring Empress Mary in a far future. Learn more about what you can expect:
1: What inspired you the create this show?
I’ve always been fascinated with both the Tudors and space travel, so when planning my next show I decided to put them together. You see the influence of the Tudor monarchs on everything from Game of Thrones to Succession, and galactic empires – there’s Star Wars of course, but also the danger of charismatic leaders in Dune. Past and future connected and I spent months earlier this year writing a script that would join them.
I wanted to write a Queen because I love strong yet deeply emotional female leads. The historical Mary in particular is a fascinatingly damaged, tragic, zealous yet sympathetic figure. Therefore, why not bring her to life again many thousands of years in the future?
2: Who is Empress Mary and what should audiences understand about here?
When you first see her, she’s at her most majestic: crown, ornate silver throne, beautiful costume. We put a lot into a sumptuous set fit for an Empress. But over the course of the play all that’s stripped away as she struggles with how the war she ordered is going. Memories return of a past life where all this occurred before, her struggle now uncannily repeats the past. Those memories disturb her, she’s in turmoil, and we see enormous torment laid bare. But, she perseveres through it all and whether she ultimately wins – you’ll have to see.
3: What does the play have to say about leadership during times of crisis?
She possesses both unshakeable confidence and a deep conscience. Those she’s sending to battle tug on her heart, she loves deeply and grieves deeply. There’s a message to never give up, but also to keep your heart warm: her husband is going into battle, her subjects and soldiers are her loved ones. Now she makes mistakes and at one point lets her jealousy get the better of her – we see the pressure a leader is under, and also the very human blind spots that can lead them into horrific mistakes. Mary in this world is the absolute monarch of her realm, yet the rival faction she’s fighting appears to be a democracy. The play explores the political dialectic between an all-powerful leader on one side and decentralized decision-making on the other. Which works better in practice?
4: How does being a woman and a mother affect the way Mary is seen by others as a leader?
So the storyline follows the phantom pregnancy experienced by the historical Mary – that’s a major plot point. She wants a son to continue her realm and legacy; not bearing one causes the memories of the past to arise.
In terms of being a woman we only get her perspective, she speaks into a holographic orb and it seems her word is law – yet how much is truly happening and are her commands obeyed? What the Courtiers and Commanders truly think of her, if they’re actually betraying her – that’s up to the audience to piece together. Perhaps that’s particularly relatable to women who’ve been in positions of power: what do those whom they’re giving instructions to truly think of them, are they being secretly undermined?
5: Where would you like the show to go next?
I’m planning for a longer run next year, at the Edinburgh Fringe and at other London theatres. Also developing the script for a film version. So if you can make December 6th at The Water Rats come along, but if not the show will be on again.
6: What has been the most enjoyable part about creating Empress Bloody Mary?
Finding Josée Bekker, who stars as Empress Mary. I went through dozens of self-tapes, Britain has great talent, but something just shone about Josée’s audition. Her voice and presence is extraordinary: she brings out incredible emotion. I feel all the different feelings the Empress feels when Josée performs. Possessing both the ability to become the character – making you believe they really are this other identity – and charisma, that know-it-when-you-see-it power to hold attention: is rare, she’s a rare find.
I’m confident she’ll to be a major star and I’m very proud to help bring her to wider attention. And as a movie lover, live theatre has an immediacy and power you can’t get from a screen – especially with an actress of this quality. You experience something precious – each performance is slightly unique. Working with the text and trying things during rehearsals has been great fun, and I can’t wait to debut the Empress in all her glory.
Empress Bloody Mary opens Sunday 6th December at The Water Rats. Many thanks to Malcolm Roding for answering our questions. Book your tickets here!
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