WHO AM I?

I have a lot of power yet no real power at all.

I have great opportunities for influence with no guarantee of influence.

I am the most visible woman in the world yet the most invisible. 

The Queen.

This play allowed me to witness a side to the queen, be it fictional or not, that I'd never seen or thought about before.

Without even realising it and probably in return sounding quite ignorant, I generally saw the Queen almost like the 'poster girl' of Britain. Someone who brings in tourism, shakes a lot of hands and has recognisably made history heading The Commonwealth.

But this play revealed the Queens human side. The one I've never thought about before, which is silly really. Of course she has opinions and emotions like the rest of us. And of course she was a child once, who's little world was thrown upside down and suddenly got a whole lot bigger. 

The play circulates around her private meetings with the twelve Prime Ministers that have served under her. You see her first with Churchill, as a young slightly nervous yet clearly strong headed girl to the most recent with Cameron as an evidently older, wiser yet still very funny woman. Helen Mirren's transformations are just incredible, both through her physicality and her beautiful costume changes. And the Prime Ministers characterisations are spot on. 

In the current situation we're in, leaving the European Union, I do wonder what her true thoughts are. She has so much experience and no doubt a lot of wise words for David Cameron in the coming months. I assume she will she stay true to the public, the idea of democracy and back the leave decision. But maybe the Christmas speech, which she pens with no Governmental advice, will reveal something entirely different...

This play has reminded me of the roller coaster reign she's had. And the utterly amusing mix of Prime Ministers. It's never been easy for the UK, from politics to football (!) but each time we've stayed calm and carried on. But I can't help wondering if this time our luck has run out...

Either way, I enjoyed The Audience a lot more than I expected. It was understandable and accessible for people with only little political knowledge and brought a refreshing view of Her Majesty The Queen. 

Everyone has a talent. You don't choose it. It chooses you. 

It might be something that frustrates you to the core. Something that makes you feel sick with nerves. Something that makes you cry until you can't no more. It proves your human and alive. 

But you can either take that talent and embrace it. Make it your own. Breathe it. Be it. Take every opportunity it throws your way and better your life. Do it for you. Do it for your family. 

Or throw it away because other people don't like it. Take their hate and jealousy and like rot, let it slowly eat away until there's nothing left. 

I'm not saying it's going to be easy. God no, the world doesn't work that way. But I am saying it's your life. So ask yourself this one simple question. 

Does it make YOU happy? 

I've seen the film and yes it was great. But as a musical? I was pretty dubious. How was that going to work? I couldn't picture it. Are there any songs better than 'Electricity'? Doubt it. Would they find children that are good enough to play such a big part? Probably not. But I can assure you this musical blew. my. mind. 

Billy, the son of a miner, stumbles upon a ballet class. As you can imagine, a young boy dancing in the North East through the Thatcher years and during the miners' strikes make for a whole load of barriers to crash through. So many so that a bulldozer might not even manage it...

But this young boy slams his foot onto the accelerator and smashes through those barriers at 70 mph, with the help of Mrs Wilkinson steering them into each and every one. 

Just go and book some bloody tickets and do not miss out on this unforgettable and inspirational Northern Powerhouse of a musical.