Holy and Unruly

by David Beardsley

Queen Elizabeth I, at the height of her power, experiences disturbing dreams, strange visions, and inexplicable moments of panic. A petition for justice from Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate feared from England to Africa, brings the Queen’s emotional crisis to a head, prompting her to revisit choices she made in the name of power--choices no man is asked to make. Rejecting the advice of her male advisors, the...

Queen Elizabeth I, at the height of her power, experiences disturbing dreams, strange visions, and inexplicable moments of panic. A petition for justice from Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate feared from England to Africa, brings the Queen’s emotional crisis to a head, prompting her to revisit choices she made in the name of power--choices no man is asked to make. Rejecting the advice of her male advisors, the Queen sees Grace. When two of Europe’s most powerful and charismatic women meet, they wrestle with questions still relevant today: What does it take to rule your world? What are the costs?

Running time: 1:45, plus optional intermission
Characters: 10 (6 men, 3 women, 1 gender neutral)
Cast Size: 8 (4 men, 3 women, 1 gender neutral)

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Holy and Unruly

Recommended by

  • Donald Tongue: Holy and Unruly by David Beardsley
    “

    Tapping into the timeless elements of a moment in time, David has marvelously crafted a historical fiction that skillfully weaves the relevant threads to connect with today's audiences.

    Tapping into the timeless elements of a moment in time, David has marvelously crafted a historical fiction that skillfully weaves the relevant threads to connect with today's audiences.

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Holy and Unruly by David Beardsley
    “

    A gorgeous and revelatory play about Queen Elizabeth that we all need to see onstage! So theatrical and lush in terms of its language and its scope while still being so producible. Great roles for women! Do this now!

    A gorgeous and revelatory play about Queen Elizabeth that we all need to see onstage! So theatrical and lush in terms of its language and its scope while still being so producible. Great roles for women! Do this now!

    ”
  • Eugenie Carabatsos: Holy and Unruly by David Beardsley
    “

    A really exciting take on a Queen Elizabeth story! This is a side of her and a story I haven't seen before on stage or elsewhere. A powerful imagining of a conversation between two very powerful, and yet constrained, women, the challenges they face, and the bond that they create.

    A really exciting take on a Queen Elizabeth story! This is a side of her and a story I haven't seen before on stage or elsewhere. A powerful imagining of a conversation between two very powerful, and yet constrained, women, the challenges they face, and the bond that they create.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

Please prioritize diversity over historical accuracy when casting. The female-identifying actor who plays Lady Scott must double as MacNally. The actor who plays Conroy doubles as Bingham.
  • Queen
    Queen Elizabeth I of England. 60. She/her.
    60
    Any race/ethnic identity
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Grace
    Grace O'Malley, an Irish pirate from a powerful Irish family who have been pirates for centuries. About 60. She/her.
    about 60
    Any race/ethnic identity
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Burghley
    William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, the Queen's most-trusted advisor. 70s. He/him.
    70s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Essex
    Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, The Queen's cousin, advisor, rival. Mid 20s. He/him.
    25
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Lady Scott
    The Queen's under-estimated Lady of the Bedchamber. 20s. She/her. Actor must double as MacNally.
    20s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Conroy
    Grace's cautious and steady first mate. 40s. He/him. Actor doubles as Bingham.
    40s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • MacNally
    Grace's rowdy and reckless crewman. 20s. He/him. Actor must identify as female and double as Lady Scott.
    20s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Bingham
    Sir Richard Bingham, the sadistic, small-minded English Governor of Connacht Province, which includes County Mayo, Ireland. 40s. He/him. Actor doubles as Conroy.
    40s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Dudley
    The Queen's long-dead love. 40s. He/him. Non-speaking. The actor who plays this role should be a dancer or have extensive movement experience.
    40s
    Any race/ethnic identity
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • The Unborn
    The Queen's never-conceived child. Age and gender unknowable. Non-speaking. The actor should be a dancer or have extensive movement experience.
    Age unknowable, but should seem young (teen or young adult).
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Gender unknowable
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s

Development History

  • Workshop, New World Theatre, Putting It Together New Play Readings (New Hampshire), 2019
  • Reading, The Depot for New Play Readings (Connecticut), 2019
  • Reading, AboutFACE Ireland - NEWvember New Play Festival (Dublin), 2018

Production History

  • Community Theater, New World Theatre (New Hampshire), 2022

Awards

  • Full-Length Play
    Scriptwriters & Co.
    Finalist
    2023
  • Stage Play Category
    Moondance International Film Festival
    Winner
    2019
  • Ashland New Plays Festival
    Finalist
    2019