Backstairs Billy

Backstairs Billy examines the fifty-year relationship between the Queen Mother and her most loyal, most outrageous servant and what a royal romp this!  It’s the 1970s and drinks parties are in full swing at Clarence House which has been the residence of the Queen Mother since she was evicted from Buckingham Palace by her daughter, who as royal rules dictate, took her job and her home following the death of King George in 1952.  So the lady Hitler called “the most dangerous woman in Europe” is now passing her days by opening leisure centres and hospitals then holding afternoon soirees that provide her with an excuse to have an early drink and be entertained by the hand selected guests.

The opening choreography around the positioning of floral arrangements was cleverly done and set the scene for a world where the countries strikes, economic challenges and discontented public were not the priority of the day.

Palace bureaucrat, Mr. Kerr (played by Richard Watson) is determined to reduce the excesses of the Queen Mother’s life whilst also being keen to limit Billy’s role in her fun.   Watson was almost villain like and his perfect delivery of many cutting lines made him a most unlikeable character.  The ongoing ‘fight’ between him and Billy over the position of a photograph of King George was entertaining and Watson never missed an opportunity for an appropriate look of disgust as he contained his anger.  Ian, a ‘friend’ of Billy’s (who he has picked up on one of his late night ‘walks’) was incredibly portrayed by Lee Grant.  Grant’s moves and delivery were slick and captivating.  His engagement with Billy perfectly suited the role.  Newly appointed footman, Gwydion (Finlay Woodcock) was bemused and bewildered by the goings on at Clarence House and Woodcock captured this to a tee.  The scene around his initiation into royal service was hilarious.

The six guests at the drinks receptions were played by three actors and how wonderfully they captured the characters.  Georgina Appleyard as Annabel Maud and Lady Astlebury had great presence and it was easy to see how both her characters would potentially be frequent guests at the drinks parties.  Patrick Hibbin as Mr Harrington-Bahr and Hugo McCoyd found the character of each role and his unassuming drunk Harrington Bahr was very amusing.  Lisa Wales as Mrs Harrington Bahr and Lady Adeline adopted the perfect physicality for both roles and was strikingly funny.  The costumes worn by Wales were particularly perfect for the characters she played.

Melanie Murray found just the right level of decorum to play Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.  Wonderful diction and poise.   Without mimicking the real person she created a character perfectly suited to receiving the love and dedication of Billy Tallon who sees her only as ‘the Queen’ and works to maintain the status which he feels she deserves.  After 25 years of service Billy Tallon (Christopher Greenwood) has recently been appointed Paige of the Backstairs and is rightly proud of his position.  Greenwood was incredible with wonderful asides, excellent delivery and totally captivating in this titular role.   His engagement with all the other players was perfect.   Murray and Greenwood worked together wonderfully throughout,  but especially in the flashback scenes where we saw a lighter, but more mournful Queen  Mother and a bright eyed, youthful Billy whose Midlands accent has yet to be hidden behind the  clipped annunciation he later acquires – very engaging.

The stage was set with minimal, but appropriate furniture and props and featured good use of the central area of the space with audience on both sides which worked well with the clever direction.  This allowed the scale of the palatial setting to be conveyed.  Costumes were spot on and whilst it was clear that some vintage pieces had been used they all seemed fresh and well-chosen to suit the period of the play.  Attention had been given to footwear and accessories which really paid off.  Lighting was well used, especially in the scenes which travelled back in time.

This really was a most irreverent comedy about the fifty-year relationship between the Queen Mother and her most loyal, most outrageous servant and Huddersfield Thespians presented it beautifully.  It was funny and poignant and the cast and crew deserve all the applause heading their way this week.  Sincere congratulations to Gareth Dickinson (Director) and Vivs Long-Ferguson (Production Assistant) along with all the team at Huddersfield Thespians.

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