Wednesday, I had the honor to attend one of the final performances of Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare.  It’s based on the CBC Mini-series (or the mini-series is based on the play).  Either way, the woman who originated the role of Elizabeth was in this production.

Here is more information.

On the eve of the beheading of her court favorite and rumored lover, the Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth was entertained with a royal command performance by Shakespeare and his company. Upon this obscure historical fact, one of Canada’s most acclaimed playwrights, Timothy Findley, imagines this daring and original drama. Longing for distraction, the Queen visits her stables where the actors are lodged for the night. There she finds the man who plays Shakespeare’s leading ladies, and in their passionate confrontation, the actor and his Queen come to shocking revelations about sexuality, identity and love.

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (includes intermission)

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