UK Theatre Network

Queen Bee

(Touring)

Reviewed at The Customs House, South Shields

Queen Bee is described as ‘a contemporary gothic ghost story with a psychological twist.’ It tells the story of three women - a nurse, her agoraphobic patient and an overbearing housekeeper – who become confined in an isolated Northumbrian house, after a sinister and threatening figure is seen lurking outside in the grounds.

Fearing that the previous master of the house – a beekeeper – has returned from the dead with his angry swarm, the doors and windows are bolted from within. As the tension inside the house rises, the women become increasingly suspicious of each other and a struggle for supremacy ensues, with each woman wanting to be Queen Bee.

It is difficult to identify the playwright’s intentions due to the fact that the piece sometimes seems to spoof the genres that it might ordinarily be categorised within. At times the plot developments are almost farcical whilst at others they are genuinely chilling.

Margaret Wilkinson’s script is like a verbal game of ‘catch’ as the three actresses throw and catch lines to and fro with considerable skill and flair. It demands a lot from them, but they work well with each other and, individually, manage to create well-rounded characters that the audience are easily able to engage with.

Wils Wilson’s direction ensures that the cast of three, comprising Joanna Holden, Karen Traynor and Rachel Donovan, utilise every inch of Imogen Cloets wonderful set and deliver extremely physical performances, whilst sound designer and composer, John Alder, creates all the sound effects with just a cello.

Queen Bee may not fit snugly into one conventional genre or another, but it does provide a refreshingly different theatrical experience.

Steve Burbridge.

Tour Details

30 April – 2 May                     The Customs House, South Shields

5 & 6 May                               West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

8 & 9 May                               The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

13 – 16 May                            Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne

18 & 19 May                           Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

20 – 22 May                            Darlington Arts Centre