The Trial of Marie Antoinette - review

This is as fine a new play as I have seen for many a year and the enthusiastic reception it was accorded as the lights were raised confirmed my view.

It is a historical play as the title states, about a woman hated, and vilified, with a whole country screaming for her blood, and the courage and dignity with which she faced this ordeal.

As Marie Antoinette, Julie Tallis gives a fine performance, an enthralling mix of fire and steel and although I have not enough knowledge to decide whether history has been unfair to her, only a heart of stone could not but agree that the harsh judgement against her was unwarranted.

The author, who specialises in historical plays, tells us in the programme that the remark “let them eat cake” which was done so much to establish her unfeeling reputation was in fact made years previously by a man.

Her gaolers, traducers from the Paris streets and her impossibly handicapped defending counsel are vividly brought to life as the play unfolds, and James Hayward as Fouquier her prosecuting counsel is a study in evil cynicism.

The cast of eleven is a large one on the Tabard stage small but the director and author, Peter Longdon manages to make it uncrowded and swift-flowing.

I do wholeheartedly recommend it, particularly to anyone who enjoyed either the play or film A Man For All Seasons, which told a not dissimilar tale.

I think it most likely that a lot more will be heard of this play and the Tabard are to be congratulated on arranging its first London showing.

Richard Langton