The Regina Monologues grew out of Vanessa Webb’s thesis in theater and performance studies, and it certainly her earned an A in her solo performance for SaraSolo16. Because Vanessa dramatically combined her studies of the historical Queen Elizabeth I with those of interactive performance, she was able to draw in her audience actively, both mentally and physically. The audience rose at Vanessa’s entrance as QE1, parading down center aisle onto the stage in full royal regalia--jeweled crown over tightly curled red wig, an Elizabethan gown mainly in white with dark purple insets in front of her blouse and in the wide skirt under her belt. Every piece of her outfit sparkled with (?) diamonds. She began with her family history. Next in importance to a full purse, Vanessa’s QE considered her audience (of viewers), so she appointed one of them Master of Revels. He could—and did—lead his fellows proclaiming “God save the Queen!” whenever she might want to use that public prayer. She needed to set straight many accounts of her promulgated by male historians. And so she did that showing a “not just tea and crumpets life as a princess” and how she fared having five mothers. Her own exclusive one was Anne Boleyn, “unfortunately the victim of fleshy desires.” Those were not exclusive to her father either, but Vanessa’s QE treated them gently on the whole. She learned from his women: “Never be a threat!” QE 1 told of her varied loves. She was not above banishing competition from other women. Love didn’t stop her from signing a lover’s death warrant. She ignored a proposal from Ivan the Terrible. She learned how to handle Privy Council meetings, one of which Vanessa conducted on the spot. Dividing the audience and certain chosen from it into two sides, she had the latter hurl insults (chosen from a plate of same) at each other. Audience cheers or boos determined the winners. Vanessa demonstrated court business with a “beautiful specimen of a man” from the audience. QE I was certainly opposed to the idea that a woman’s body would be “soiled by the attentions of a man.” She reminded that she performed her duties well without a man. Her full dedication was to her kingdom, as was Vanessa’s to her audience. Both responded with love.
