New Play About Queen Elizabeth II Rehearses For July Mayflower Theatre Run

Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette remains a visually stunning and stylistically unique period drama that continues to captivate audiences with its pastel color palette and lavish costumes set against the Palace of Versailles. While not historically accurate, the film is praised for its atmospheric depiction of the Austrian princess's life, portraying her as an embodiment of rococo excess and the disconnect between royal reality and perception. Kirsten Dunst stars as Marie Antoinette, delivering an iconic performance, supported by Jason Schwartzman and Rose Byrne. The film focuses more on imagery than dialogue, evoking sympathy for the young queen's struggles despite her privileged status. In theater news, the play By Royal Appointment, starring Anne Reid as the Queen and Caroline Quentin as her dresser, explores the subtle power of the Queen expressed through fashion and personal relationships, opening in July at the Mayflower Theatre. Additionally, the enduring appeal of aristocratic residences featured in period dramas like Downton Abbey highlights real-life castles and estates, such as Highclere Castle, which continue to fascinate with their historical and cultural legacies.