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

    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

    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

    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.
  • Burghley
    William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, the Queen's most-trusted advisor. 70s. He/him.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • Essex
    Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, The Queen's cousin, advisor, rival. Mid 20s. He/him.
    Character Age
    25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • Lady Scott
    The Queen's under-estimated Lady of the Bedchamber. 20s. She/her. Actor must double as MacNally.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her
  • Conroy
    Grace's cautious and steady first mate. 40s. He/him. Actor doubles as Bingham.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • MacNally
    Grace's rowdy and reckless crewman. 20s. He/him. Actor must identify as female and double as Lady Scott.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • 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.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • 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.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    he/him
  • 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.
    Character Age
    Age unknowable, but should seem young (teen or young adult).
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    Gender unknowable
  • Queen
    Queen Elizabeth I of England. 60. She/her.
    Character Age
    60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her
  • Grace
    Grace O'Malley, an Irish pirate from a powerful Irish family who have been pirates for centuries. About 60. She/her.
    Character Age
    about 60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race/ethnic identity
    Character Gender Identity
    She/her

Development History

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

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization New World Theatre (New Hampshire), Year 2022

Awards

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