Mary Stuart, Friedrich Schiller

This play provides a (somewhat) sympathetic presentation of the Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots)--and a rather cynical exploration of England's 16th religious instabilities. Janet McTeer's portrayal of Mary was gripping. She managed to make Mary both compelling and very irritating. The rain scene in the 2nd half is particularly compelling. The downpour--and her ability to stand in the cooling, cleansing rain--is first interpreted by Mary as a kindness and relief from the misery of confinement. When, however, she realizes that the open patch will the arena for her much-sought audience with Queen Elizabeth, her ecstasy quickly turns to panic, shame, and eventually rage at how she'd been set up by her erstwhile allies.

Recommend, enthusiastically.