Written by Melanie Tait
Directed by Priscilla Jackman
Presented by Ensemble Theatre
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 21 June
Reviewed by Len Power 19 June 2025
A thriving industry has grown up to feed the public’s fascination with the lives and activities of the Royal Family. The play tells the story of Marion Crawford, a young Scottish woman, who became nanny to the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in the 1930s.
She worked for the Royal Family until 1949, building an intimate and trusted relationship with the princesses and the Queen Mother. For her long and faithful service, she was given a grace and favour house in London.
Upon her departure from her job, she agreed to author The Little Princesses, a book which told the story of her time with the family. Although she had been given tentative approval by the Royal Family to publish her story, the family ostracised her after the book appeared under her own name. No member of the family ever spoke to her again.
Australian playwright, Melanie Tait, imagines the details of the relationship of Crawford with the Royal Family showing how they depended on her to raise the princesses well. The family’s later actions and lack of feeling for this woman who had devoted the best years of her life to them, gives the play a poignant edge. Much of the humour of the play is at the expense of the royal characters. It could be argued that Tait is a bit tough on them, but it is certainly entertaining and funny.
The play has been given an excellent production by the Ensemble Theatre. It has been directed with imagination and flair by Priscilla Jackman. Of the cast of three, Matthew Backer darts in an out of character playing 8 roles, including the young Princess Elizabeth, Bertie, the later King George VI, and Crawford’s husband, George Buthlay. Backer’s performance in all of these roles is outstanding.
 |
| Matthew Backer (various roles) and Briallen Clarke (Marion Crawford) |
Briallen Clarke makes Marion Crawford instantly likeable with her direct and down-to-earth Scottishness. Her strong performance in this large role is at time humorous as well as touching and finally memorable.
 |
| Sharon Millerchip (Queen Mother) |
Sharon Millerchip’s great sense of timing gives her character of the Queen Mother both a formidable, steely presence as well as some of the best funny moments of the play.
While Tait’s play succeeds in the telling of this woman’s story, the play ends with a discussion about Australia’s place in the Commonwealth. While it’s a point continually argued about, it feels awkwardly placed in this play.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
