We caught up with Daisy ahead of the UK tour of By Royal Appointment to find out more about her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and how she is feeling ahead of opening night.
How do you feel about embarking on the first UK tour of By Royal Appointment?
I am thrilled that By Royal Appointment is having another run. And it is fascinating to see what a new cast is bringing to the show. I am amazed at the speed Jane Asher can change costumes between scenes. She is phenomenal.
How would you describe the show? What compelled you to create this behind-the-scenes angle with the Queen and her dresser?
It is a play about the Queen as a woman – rather than as a monarch. A woman who really isn’t interested in fashion at all, but knows that everything she wears will be scrutinised for meaning. The Queen was famous for her discretion, but as the audience will find out watching the play – “ My clothes say what I can’t.” It is also a story about the singular friendships that develop between people who work together for years.
Over your career you’ve portrayed high-profile female figures such as Queen Victoria and Maria Callas. How did you approach creating the character of Queen Elizabeth II?
I was fascinated by how Elizabeth, unlike Queen Victoria or Maria Callas, was so good at controlling her emotions. The secret of her success was her incredible poker face. Nobody really knew what she was thinking, which meant that everyone could project on her what they wanted her to feel. My play tries to show some of the things that she really cared about: duty, family, winning the Derby…
What are the key moments that mean something to you that the play draws from? Are there any characterisations that audience should look out for?
I think anyone who is my age 64, or older will remember pretty much everything in the play. I first saw the Queen in person at a walkabout for her Silver Jubilee, she was wearing the pink coat and hat that we use in the play. It was a moment I have never forgotten, so I had to put in the outfit, and her reason for choosing the colour (she wore pink to her grandfather’s Silver Jubilee in 1935). Everything the Queen wore had a meaning.
The Queen was known for her bold, striking outfits. Can you give us a glimpse into the costumes for this production?
We have copied some of the Queen’s most memorable outfits. Some of them are famous, like the Tudor spaceman’s helmet she wore to Charles’s investiture – and some of them I chose just because I liked the look – (the yellow polka dot turban she wears on her visit to Mexico). I think people will enjoy the queen’s explanation for the outfit she wears to meet the Duchess of Windsor. It is a sartorial slap down to the woman who almost wrecked the monarchy.
What is something the general public wouldn’t know about the Queen that you are excited for them to find out in the play?
I think they will be intrigued by how seriously she took what she wore. She knew that nothing could be left to chance. They will also get an insight into how close the Queen was to her staff – particularly to her dresser, who is loosely based on Angela Kelly.
Finally, what do regional venues like Chelmsford Theatre mean to you and the work you create?
It is the greatest feeling in the world to come to a theatre like Chelmsford and see people really enjoying themselves. In London audiences are spoiled, but in a place like Chelmsford audiences are so appreciative and it is a privilege to serve them.