Taking this production upon face value, I was unsure what to expect. Would I be sitting through another interpretation of old English dialect, through conversations that I cannot relate to? Or would it be tales of the monarchy that were written to attempt to make me appreciate Queen Victoria? Certainly not, Victoria’s Knickers for me was a mixture between Downton Abbey and Glee. The singing and dancing became an unexpected part of the performance, alongside the ‘down with the kids’ lingo. However, the structure and format did not feel forced, more of an attempt to revive the opinion of how we perceive productions with historical reference.
It’s a royal love story like no other. How often would you see Prince Albert in a Black Panther suit duelling against Spider-man? Though I still do not understand the importance of that particular scene, I must admit it was a refreshing moment to be able to relate in some aspect. Providing burst of laughter through unexpected moments, this play might not be for everyone, particularly those who don’t like to follow to script and stray from conventional portrayal of the royal family.
With simplistic backdrops, settings and breaking the fourth wall. This production surprised me, pleasantly. Victoria’s Knickers provide an unrealistic insight into the life behind the gates of Buckingham Palace but in a lighthearted manner. Refreshing from previous plays you may have seen or even tabloid stories you’ve read. For sure, I would’ve liked to see more detail and information as to why ‘Boy Jones’ played by Jamie Ankrah and his sisters decide to break into the palace, to begin with. Some of the scenes didn’t add to the narrative and I was left piecing together the pieces to make a full connection.
The cast overall is particularly strong, though the surprise and star of the show for me was: Aidan Cheng, who added an extra value of delight and a barrel of laughs.
Runs until 10 November at Soho Theatre.
Learn more about the National Youth Theatre here. Read some more of theatre recommendations and reviews.