The Queen's Nanny
Written by Melanie Tait
Directed by Priscilla Jackman
From the creative team behind the sell-out success of THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE, this blackly funny play imagines a series of pivotal moments between two strong-spirited women harbouring complicated resentment. Touring regionally in 2025.
★★★★ "Sparkling new comedy"
ABOUT THE SHOW
Inspired by historical events, a royal scandal ignites a blistering fire between the steely Queen Mother and her children’s doting nanny in Melanie Tait’s sparkling new comedy drama.
Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford adored her job as governess to Princesses Lilibet and Margaret Rose… until she was ostracised without warning, despite dedicating the best part of her life to raising, educating and caring for the young royals. The reason? A tell-all memoir.
From the creative team behind the sell-out success of THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE, this blackly funny play imagines a series of pivotal moments between two strong-spirited women harbouring complicated resentment.
THE QUEEN'S NANNY is a story of class and colonialism and references the republican movement which has swelled in response to the recent end to the Second Elizabethan Era. It questions our allegiance to this foreign institution of power and wealth, exposing its dark hidden secrets.
REVIEWS
"A comedy with some dark laughs and extraordinary insight." (for 2023's A BROADCAST COUP)
State of the Art
★★★★ "Sparkling new comedy." (for 2019's THE APPLETON LADIES' POTATO RACE)
The Sydney Morning Herald
"Melanie Tait is a playwright with a sharp eye for human foibles and how they play out between people." (for 2023's A BROADCAST COUP)
Stage Noise
ABOUT ENSEMBLE THEATRE
Based in Kirribilli, on the edge of Sydney Harbour, Ensemble Theatre is committed to performing and presenting the best of international plays, well-loved classics and new Australian works. Each season, they proudly deliver powerful, memorable and engaging live theatre of the highest standard. Founded in 1958, Ensemble Theatre recently celebrated its 65th anniversary and is the longest continuously running professional theatre in Australia.
Touring 2025
The Round, Nunawading VIC | Land of the Wurundjeri-Balluk People
31 May | BOOK
Princess Theatre, Launceston TAS | Land of the tyerremotepanner, panninher and the leterrermairrener People
4 June | BOOK
Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, VIC | Land of the Bpangerang People
7 June | BOOK
The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, Sutherland NSW | Land of the Dharawal People
13-14 June | BOOK
Canberra Theatre Centre, ACT | Land of the Ngunnawal People
19-21 June | BOOK
The Art House, Wyong NSW | Land of the Darkinjung People
24 June | BOOK
Performance Arts Culture Cessnock, NSW | Land of the Wonnarua People
26 June | BOOK
Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood NSW | Land of the Dharug and Gundungurra Peoples
28 June | BOOK
Glasshouse, Port Macquarie NSW | Land of the Birpai People
2 July | BOOK
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, NSW | Land of the Gundungurra People
5 July | BOOK
Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
8 July | BOOK
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW | Land of the Wiradjuri People
10 July | BOOK
Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, NSW | Land of the Tubba-Gah & Wiradjuri People
12 July | BOOK
Touring
May - July 2025
CREATIVE CREDITS
Playwright Melanie Tait
Director Priscilla Jackman
Assistant Director Miranda Middleton
Set Designer Michael Hankin
Costume Designer Genevieve Graham
Lighting Designer Morgan Moroney
Composer & Sound Designer James Peter Brown
If you are interested in touring get in contact!
Arts on Tour
02 8038 1880
touring@artsontour.com.au
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.