Interview: Denise Silvey, ‘Queen’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Director and Co-Producer Denise Silvey about Queen.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far.

Well I started life as an actress and singer and appeared in a lot of West End shows and tours, one in particular being The Mousetrap.  From my performing in that play, I ended up becoming the Artistic Director and have directed the show around the world. I sort of fell into producing and formed my production company Cahoots Theatre Company in 1999 and have run it alongside The Mousetrap for the last 15 years. We’ve been stalwarts of the Edinburgh Festival for quite a few years, producing shows like ‘An Audience with Jimmy Savile’, ‘Bloody Difficult Women’, ‘Musik’ and ‘My Darling Clemmie’ to name but a few.  

What is Queen about?

Queen is a reworking of the show originally called ‘An Evening with Queen Victoria’ that was devised by Katrina Hendry, and was performed for many years by Prunella Scales.  This current production has been adapted by Julian Machin, who also worked on the original production. All the dialogue is taken directly from Queen Victoria’s own diaries and journals

What was the inspiration for Queen and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

We thought the time was right to revive this piece, but in a different way.  We’re looking on it as a sort of prequel to ’The Crown’. It has drama and wit. Victoria’s writing is really funny at times and modern and there are so many comparisons with her successor, Elizabeth II. You’ll be surprised to see how similarities there are with these two amazing women.

What made you want to take Queen to the Fringe?

I’d worked on historical pieces before in Edinburgh, one in particular being ‘My Darling Clemmie’ (in the same venue) and it was very successful.  I am also keen to see if there is a future life and we’d love to tour it to other festivals nationally and internationally.

Apart from seeing Queen, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Well I’d have to say anything at the Fringe At Prestonfield, as I’m producing that as well.

Why should people book Queen?

It’s a great story.  It’s our heritage. It’s a beautiful piece of writing.

When and where can people see Queen?

Queen runs from August 1st - 25th (except 12th) at the Drawing Room in the Assembly Rooms (Assembly Fest)