Description

Victoria in the Highlands, is inspired by the highland diaries of Queen Victoria, where she recorded her trips to Balmoral Castle in the highlands of Scotland. The first act is based on the early years with Prince Albert exploring the northern reaches of her realm, where they both fell in love with Scotland. The second act is after Albert has died, her first trips back to Balmoral, memories of their life together there, and her new life alone. Her thoughts and memories cover funny, delightful things, exciting events, and finally her deep morning.

Victoria in the Highlands is a one women show starring Autumn Gieb as Queen Victoria, Queen of England and Directed by Monte H. Wright. The show was adapted by Autumn Gieb and Monte H. Wright from excerpts from Queen Victoria's highland diaries.

Credits

No credits have been posted.

Reviews

Review: Gieb embodies Victoria in play
- Mike Cook, Las Cruces Bulletin

To the benefit of Black Box Theatre (BBT) audiences, Queen Victoria was a prolific diarist. Victoria, who reigned as queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her 1901 death, wrote more than 120 journals. Her two published works were the source of the original play Victoria in the Highlands now in production at BBT, 430 N. Main St. Cast members Autumn Gieb (Victoria) and Monte H. Wright (narrator) are also the playwrights, with a script that’s about 90 minutes with intermission. Wright is also the director. The production presents a compelling view of one of the most iconic figures of the 19th century. An entire era of British history as named for Victoria.

As the second act opens with Victoria grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, she lifts her black veil. It is an eerie and poignant moment because, more than at any other time in the show, the actor looked exactly like the character she was playing. Credit that to Gieb’s talent as an actor and as a costume designer

I also was particularly taken with the scene detailing Victoria’s carriage accident. The play touches on her rather mysterious relationship with John Brown (1827-83), who had been one of Albert’s servants and became the queen’s confidants after Albert’s death.

I’ve seen Gieb give many outstanding performances, including in BBT’s 2021 one-person show Every Brilliant Thing and earlier this year in Love, Loss and What I Wore. As Queen Victoria, she adds to her impressive resume. Kudos go to Wright for his performance as the narrator and his work directing Gieb. He also deserves credit as the show’s scenic designer, for the idea of the play and for his collaboration with Gieb and BBT owners Ceil and Peter Herman to make the whole thing come to life.

The cast includes Karen Buerdsell as Victoria’s lady’s maid. Buerdsell is fabulous, as always. I think, an important aspect of Victoria’s character in her relationship with her servant; neither speaks a single word to the other in the show.

Credit also goes to stage manager Erin Chenoweth and assistant stage manager Heather Olvera, lighting designer Peter Herman, set builder Joshua Taulbee, light operator Lisa Taylor and sound
and projection operator Bekah Taulbee.

Performances of Victoria in the Highlands are 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 7-8 and 14-15; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, July 9 and 16; and 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13. Tickets are $15 regular admission, $12 for students and seniors over age 65 and $10 for all seats for the Thursday, July 13, performance only. For reservations call 575-523-1223 or visit www.no-strings.org.

Seating

No seating plan has been posted.