Scottish history lesson meets spy thriller in this riveting reimagining of the moments before the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Shooting Fish Theatre Company absolutely delivers with a skilled cast, and a premise that is sure to ignite audience interest. The Spy Network makes the Britain of 1587 feel truly alive as its three characters take audiences through a whirlwind of historical reconnaissance.
In the hours before one of history’s most notorious executions, 16th century entertainers Barnaby Fulke and Euston Valiant, together with Mary, revisit and restage the conspiracies, espionage, and treason that led to Mary’s arrest. In reenacting key moments in the plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I, the actors shift between several roles, from double agent Gilbert Gifford to Mary’s supporter Anthony Babington, in a tour-de-force of range and skill as they flit between French, Scottish, northern English, and southern English accents in cleverly written dialogue. Markedly, Jaimie Bremner’s performance as Barnaby Fulke is a standout.
Beyond the actors’ performances, the play makes creative use of costuming the actors throughout their multiple roles with a variety of on-stage seamless costume changes and props. Meanwhile, the production’s sound design contributes to a suspenseful and gripping atmosphere. Particularly notable are the sound effects that indicate analepses, which support the overarching mood of mounting tension that drives the plot forward.
In its final scenes, the play veers into a historical fiction twist, revealing Barnaby as an agent sent by ally and Spanish ambassador: Mendoza to help Mary escape. The character of Euston, now referred to as Eustace, instead takes Mary’s place at her execution. While this twist is fascinating and feels satisfying in a play where audiences are rooting for Mary’s survival, it does leave Eustace as a flat character, relegated to being used solely as a plot device and deus ex machina.
Despite these drawbacks, the Shooting Fish Theatre Company’s The Spy Network is an incredibly captivating expedition into the espionage surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots, well-supported by a talented cast and production team.
The Spy Network is running until 29 August, at Greenside at Riddles Court. Buy tickets here
Image provided by Shooting Fish Theatre company as press material.
