REVIEW: MRS PACK Camden Fringe at Etcetera Theatre 19-20th, 24-25th August 2024

‘well-choreographed, intricately scored and charming’ ★★★ ½

‘Mrs Pack’ is a beautifully constructed new musical about the 17^th century wetnurse whose brief but metamorphic time with the Royal Court under Princess Anne gave the young Prince William life. Nia Williams’ show is a delightful piece of storytelling: well-choreographed, intricately scored and charming. The songs blend modern musical with opera, and the cast deliver strong performances across the board. It is a thought-provoking historical story which reminds its audience of how far feminism has come: “Women. They’re everywhere,” smirks the manservant, as the opening number counting Princess Anne’s dead (female) children begins.

The set is simple but effective – a washing line fastened gradually with the death certificates of Anne’s babies, miscarried or stillborn, who remained nameless for fault of their gender alone. Katie Blackwell’s direction delivers an energetic and neatly choreographed story, which itself is expertly structured and lyrical. Williams’ writing carries the audience through Anne’s 17 births to finally settle on the triumphant arrival of the young Prince. Played by the gifted Isabella Jeffrey, the heir is a sweet and comical character, whose plushie life in the Royal Court highlights the gaping class divide in England in the 1600s. Women fuss and flutter to keep the heir alive, with Mrs Pack, his wetnurse, disregarding her own child to provide milk for the monarchy. “His tiny mouth is a perfect fit around the nipple!” the Court exclaims, as their search for the perfect pair of breasts is complete.

Spoiler alert: Mrs Pack’s presence in the Royal household sparks jealousy, and, declared as “nothing more than a backstreet sow,” she is eventually ousted by Atty, the Chief Nurse, played by Olivia Baker. Baker’s performance is softer than the rest, carrying minor melodies with poise to reflect the melancholy of the narrative. In contrast, Freya Jacklin-Edward brings a bawdy but tenacious energy to Mrs Pack, whose reprobate status as a lower-class woman results in history almost forgetting her entirely. Chris Johnstone is effervescent as the manservant Jenkins, and the show finds its funny bones in his camp and jocular portrayal of the patriarchy.

The ideas, costume design, choreography, music and production value in ‘Mrs Pack’ are irrefutably strong, but unfortunately the play loses focus in terms of genre. There are moments of utter hilarity (what’s not funny about boobs?) juxtaposed with sorrowful, operatic numbers (as infant mortality might necessitate), however the relationship between the two is unclear. The show is very enjoyable and tightly rehearsed, but on occasion I was unsure if I should be laughing. ‘Mrs Pack’ is an impressive piece of theatre with undeniable potential, but might profit from being surer of its sense of humour and desired effect.

Mrs Pack by Nia Williams

Etcetera Theatre

19-20^th, 24-25^th August 2024

Box office: https://camdenfringe.com/events/mrs-pack/

Written by Nia Williams

Directed by Katie Blackwell

Composition and musical direction by Three Chairs and a Hat

CAST

Atty, the Chief Nurse – Olivia Baker

Mrs Pack / Lady Sarah - Freya Jacklin-Edward

Jenkin Lewis / Prince George / Princess Anne – Chris Johnstone

Mrs Fortress / Queen Mary / Prince William – Isabella Jeffrey

Reviewer Bio

Imo Redpath is a writer and actor for theatre, radio and TV. She graduated with an MFA in Scriptwriting from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and her plays ‘Foxes & Rabbits’ and ‘Pigs’ are currently in development. She writes a comedy blog on Substack about living with ADHD in London.