REVIEW: THE NINE DAY QUEENS by Jen Tucker at Barons Court theatre 14 – 19 May 2024

Chris Lilly • 17 May 2024


‘A sensitive, coherent play that makes difficult themes lively and relevant.’ ★★★ ½


Rita is a thirteen-year-old girl with a cavernously low opinion of men in general, and particularly of the man who responded to her best friend’s gentle rejection, put her into a possibly terminal coma. And the victim is not only her very best friend and confidante, she may well be the love of Rita’s life, when Rita has come to a decision on such things.


She is a stubborn soul, and she won’t leave the ICU where her friend is being treated. In a haze of grief and fatigue, she makes the acquaintance of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen of the play’s title. Similarly stubborn, Jane Grey clung to her protestant faith despite dozens of opportunities to recant, and went to the executioner’s block for her faith. She was seventeen.


It is an unusual set-up, but it provides a fertile context for the playwright Jen Tucker to explore all sorts of things: faith, empowering women, fighting for agency.  There is robust theological discussion between the principals, and there aren’t too many plays these days that invite audiences into robust theological discussion. But it works. The writing is witty and coherent, the characters are relatable (even Rita, who seems to have read every philosophical work ever written by the time she was twelve), and though its high risk, the company pulls it off.


Itchy Feet Theatre is an all-women company that deals with feminist issues, and makes the sectarian murder of a sixteenth century aristocrat a matter for contemporary concern. Lady Jane Grey also sports a beautiful frock which close-quarters nature of the playing space at the Baron’s Court Theatre makes it easy to admire.



A sensitive, coherent play that makes difficult themes lively and relevant. A young, talented company. It makes a trip to West London very worthwhile.


THE NINE DAY QUEENS @Barons Court theatre 14 – 19 May

Box Office https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/ndq

Produced by Itchy Feet Theatre

Writer and Director – Jen Tucker

Movement Director – Elise Gibson

Stage Manager, Sound and Lighting Designer – Beth Scott

Cast –

MADDIE WHITE Rita

SAMANTHA ALLISON Lady Jane Grey

MOYA MATTHEWS Lena

LIZZIE O'REILLY Val


Reviewed by Chris Lilly

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