Royal Secrets Unveiled: The Queen's Nanny Comes to Cessnock
- intouch Magazine
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 10
A forgotten royal scandal takes centre stage this month when Melanie Tait's compelling comedy drama The Queen's Nanny arrives at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) on Thursday, 26 June.
From the brilliant minds behind the sell-out hit The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race, this bold new production resurrects the extraordinary true story of Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford – the devoted Scottish governess who raised Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, only to face royal exile after daring to publish her memoirs.
Crawford's crime? Offering the British public its first intimate glimpse behind palace doors through her tell-all book. Tait's razor-sharp script imagines the explosive private confrontations between Crawfie and the formidable Queen Mother, delivering a theatrical experience that's both darkly humorous and politically charged.
The timing couldn't be more perfect. As Australia continues to wrestle with its colonial legacy following the Voice referendum, The Queen's Nanny strikes a particularly resonant chord. Through Crawford's eyes – a woman systematically erased from royal history despite her pivotal role in shaping our future Queen – the play poses urgent questions about whose stories matter and why certain voices are deliberately silenced.
Director Priscilla Jackman deliberately strips away royal pageantry, focusing instead on raw human emotion and power dynamics. The result promises to be a provocative evening that challenges audiences to reconsider the carefully constructed narratives surrounding the monarchy.
This isn't just another royal drama – it's a fierce reclamation of a woman's voice, exploring themes of class, loyalty, and betrayal that remain strikingly relevant today. In an era where institutional secrecy continues to clash with public transparency, Crawford's story serves as a powerful reminder of what happens when ordinary people dare to speak truth to power.
For Newcastle audiences seeking intelligent, thought-provoking theatre that entertains while it challenges, The Queen's Nanny promises an unforgettable night out. Tickets are available through the PACC Box Office on (02) 4993 4266 or online at www.mypacc.com.au
