Understandably so, the Queen is rather peeved that she's been portrayed all these years (since the 1800s mind you) as nothing but vain, jealous, selfish and murderous. In "Rose Red" we are privy to the gentler, more humourous side of the queen; and apparently being dead all this time hasn't exactly kept her out of touch with popular culture as she expresses her emotions by belting out tunes such as Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" - the Queen's rendition is seasoned with a healthy dose of spunk and attitude.
Amongst the lighthearted comedy and anecdotes, the play's storyline and themes intertwine like a well-woven cloth. On the surface there's vanity, self-esteem and the human desire for validation, but the themes that spoke loudest to me were those of feminism; the role of women, and the portrayal of women in society - where women were once (1800s), how far women have come in breaking the stereotype (one that has permeated children's literature since the Brothers Grimm picked up an ink-blotted feather). The Queen, however, makes it abundantly clear that she is no fan of circles - she prefers linear movement and growth. The truth is that she never wanted to end Snow White's life, the truth is that ... Whoa! No spoilers here; go find out the truth for yourself.
This one-woman play, featuring musical director and live accompanist Dawid Boverhoff, is captivating, thoughtful and richly structured - you'll find yourself lost in the tale as the Queen leaves you pondering aspects of your own life, but she slickly brings you back to the present with punchy one-liners and sassy sarcasm.
Simpson embodies the character of the wronged Queen with poise and passion; hardly missing a beat, her comedic timing is excellent.
This play will move you!
If you'd like to be moved, head to the Kalk Bay Theatre from now, till Saturday, 10 December, 2011. It was my first experience of the venue and, while the seating arrangements are a tad tight, the intimacy does add to the riveting experience.
Written by and starring: Dianne Simpson
Directed by: Pieter Bosch Botha
Musical director and live accompanist: Dawid Boverhoff
Stage and technical management: Natasha da Silva
Rose Red will be performed Wednesday to Saturday until 10 December, 2011 at 8.30pm at the Kalk Bay Theatre. Tickets cost R115 and can be booked at www.kbt.co.za.
