⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fluid and Forthright” The Guardian
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Smoothly slides from epic to intimate” The Stage
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Beautiful and intense” The Scotsman
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “There is not a moment in this production where the story falters or drags in time”
Arts Reviews Edinburgh
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “a wonderful playful energy, with sharp and incisive humour”
Fairypowered Productions
Raw Material & Capital Theatres
in association with National Theatre of Scotland present
James IV: Queen of the Fight
By Rona Munro
Directed by Laurie Sansom
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 mins approx (including interval)
“You’re a wonder. You’re a window into a wide world.”
Scotland, 1504, seen fresh through the eyes of new arrivals Ellen and Anne, two Moorish women who were expected to take their place at a royal court....but not this one. Both women now have to fight to find and keep a place in the dazzling, dangerous world of the Scottish Court of James IV. It’s a world where war is never far away, words of love and promises of peace are not what they seem and where poets might turn out to be more dangerous than any assassin.
Employing the same wit and theatricality of the first three James Plays, acclaimed playwright Rona Munro takes you back to a thrilling and uncharted period of Scottish history in this brand new production. Join us on the journey.
“…the empathy and ambition of her (Rona Munro) and of Laurie Sansom’s productions…are matched only by their wit, punch and accessibility….this is theatre that mixes the political to fabulous effect.” The Times
“The main thing to say about Munro's plays is that, while telling us a lot about Scottish history… These are unequivocally plays for today.” The Guardian
“A feast of blistering emotion and theatrical might.” Daily Telegraph
Quotes relate to the first three James Plays
The play includes a recitation of ‘Ane Blak Moor’ (A Black Moor) by William Dunbar, one of the earliest documented instances of a poem using racialised and discriminatory language in Scotland, as well as violence, blood and depiction of infant death.
Wednesday, 19 October at 7.30pm
Audio Described performances:
Saturday, 22 October at 2.30pm
CAST
Turnbull / Fighter / Ensemble Ewan Black
James IV Daniel Cahill
Donald Malcolm Cumming
Dame Dounteboir Blythe Duff
Dunbar Keith Fleming
Margaret Sarita Gabony
Ellen Danielle Jam
Anne Laura Lovemore
Peter Thierry Mabonga
Douglas / Ensemble Samuel Pashby
Ensemble / Musician Gameli Tordzro
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer Rona Munro
Director Laurie Sansom
Designer Jon Bausor
Composer Paul Leonard Morgan
Historical Consultant Dr Onyeka Nubia
Movement Director Neil Bettles
Sound Designer Garry Boyle
Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell
Casting Director Laura Donnelly CDG
Fight Directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of RC-Annie Ltd
Associate Director (Rehearsals) Jaïrus Obayomi
Associate Director (Tour) Luke Kernaghan
Watch the James IV: Queen of the Fight Trailer
This production is supported by the Creative Scotland Touring Fund