Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman

Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman is a play by Dario Fo (Italian title: Coppia aperta, quasi spalancata). In the original production the playwright himself played Queen Elizabeth I, while Dame Grosslady was played by Fo's wife Franca Rame.

Subject
The play takes place in the boudoir of Elizabeth I of England. In the midst of political upheaval aging Elizabeth is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her lover, the Earl of Essex, who is involved in an attempted coup d'etat against the queen. In order to prepare for this tryst, she has summoned her beautician, Dame Grosslady, who speaks primarily in grammelot. (Wikipedia )

The original text
English text published in Plays by Dario Fo, by Methuen Drama, 1997.

Translations and adaptations
Translated into English by Gillian Hanna, copyright 1987.

Performance history in South Africa
1996: Presented by CAPAB Drama in the Nico Arena, opening 11 March 1996. Directed by Christopher Weare, design by Michael Mitchell, lighting by Julian August. The cast: Robyn Scott (Elizabeth), Anthea Thompson (Martha), Neels Coetzee (Grosslady}, Nicholas Dallas (Egerton), Terence Bridgett (Young man), David Isaacs and Russell Boast (soldiers).

1997: Staged for CAPAB at the Grahamstown Festival in 1997, directed by Christopher Weare, with Robyn Scott (Elizabeth), Anthea Thompson (Martha), Neels Coetzee (Grosslady}, Nicholas Dallas (Egerton), Terence Bridgett (Young man), David Isaacs and Russell Boast (soldiers).

Presented at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, in 2009, directed by Christopher Weare starring Robyn Scott and Scott Sparrow.

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