aixcentric

‘Yorgos Lanthimos’s tragicomedy set in the court of Queen Anne boasts daring performances from its three female stars and lashings of lust, intrigue and deceit’….Mark Kermode in the Guardian.  The film has 10 Oscar nominations and Olivia Colman has already bagged a Golden Globe for her turn as the monarch.

It’s been hailed as a triumph for women actors, as indeed it is, but I would have loved to know a  little more about Queen Anne herself who was a significant ruler who oversaw the union of England and Scotland.  She wasn’t in direct line of succession and so had little preparation for the role, but carried it out with care, despite her chronic illnesses and sad loss of 17 pregnancies.  She was also hampered by the endless power-plays of the politicians and military men around her.

If you want to know more about the queen, where better than to head than London’s Kensington Palace, which is where she lived, and died.

There is an exhibition on right now of the costumes from the film. Here’s a clip by historian Lucy Worsley describing how the costumes were designed: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/explore/the-favourite-costume-display/#gs.puk9Qyei

Costumes are also being exhibited at another of Anne’s haunts, Hampton Court Palace.  Both exhibitions end on 10th March.

A visit to KP after this time is still well worthwhile – you can see her bedroom with her actual bed, walk in the gardens she established and then enjoy lunch in the Orangery commissioned by the Queen!

The film ‘La Favorite’ is playing at Le Mazarin cinema from tomorrow, Feb 6th.