1. Introduction and explanation:

I have included Matilda in the section of Queens I've played since I'm hoping to get a particular gig to play (one of) said Matildas. I'm sending a link to this page to the festival's owners and Entertainment Director (ED for short from now on out), so that they (you) can determine if they (you) would like to hire me to play at their (your) festival. OK, I'm getting tired of switching persons; I'm just going to say "you" or "ED" from now on.

Anyone else who happens to read this, please feel free to email me your thoughts. An actor LOVES notes!!!

2. Historical Facts, as far as I've researched them:

There were two historically important Matildas living at the time of the death of King Henry I of England. The one, his daughter and legitimate heir to the throne, is remembered as "Empress Matilda". The other was married to Stephen, Henry's hunky nephew, who usurped the throne from "Empress Matilda" upon the old King's death, thus making his wife "Queen Matilda".

"Empress" Matilda did not go away quietly, however. She fought back, and the country was launched into civil war. Some lords and noblemen supported Stephen because they thought a man would be a more stable ruler. However, Matilda found enough support of her own to launch a significant opposition to Stephen's reign. She even captured him at one point. Stephen's side, in turn, got hold of one of Matilda's kin and important supporter (whose name eludes me right now) and she was obliged to swap Stephen for this man to preserve his life.

"Empress Matilda" never officially became "Queen", though her son succeeded Stephen upon the usurper's death to become King Henry II.

"Queen" Matilda, in the meantime, was apparently a boon to her husband Stephen, who, as far as I've read so far, was a bit inept at government. He might have been a hottie, but his talents were not up to the task of being King. She helped smooth over some of the rough spots of his reign, and may have helped him retain the crown because of her talents, affability, and skillful management of the King. (Just don't quote me on that one, I'm surmising at this point. I'll tell you more when I know more facts.)

I've also come across some literature that implies there was a love triangle between these three, with Empress Matilda and Stephen having the hots for each other, but being unable to express their feelings due to the political chasm that divided them, and the fact that they were both married to other people. But, as before, I'll tell you more when I know more.

3. Some thoughts about my portrayal of these Matildas:

In researching the times and characters involved for this proposal, I wasn't sure which Matilda you would want me to play, so I will talk about how I would portray both of them. That way, if you want me to play either the "Empress" or the "Queen" Matilda, I can be prepared.

As a side note, I don't know definitively which way you, as festival management and direction, are thinking of going with the storyline. When we spoke a month or so ago I got the impression that you're leaning towards having the married Steven & Matilda as the reigning monarchs, with some three other pairs of foreign Kings and Queens visiting the festival and being a part of the storyline as well, making for 8 monarchs in all. I don't know if you had planned on adding the Empress to the plot or not. Since ignorance is bliss, I've taken the liberty at sharing my thoughts on this point with you, so please, read on! (Side note over.)

So, here are some thoughts on my proposed portrayal of the Empress Matilda, which will be followed by some thoughts on Queen Matilda:

The Empress Matilda, despite being the legitimate heir to the English throne, was apparently rather unpopular with her would-be subjects, as she was snobbish, haughty and aloof at best. As such, which way I "go" with her depends on the storyline you, the festival chooses.

For example, if the story is that she & Stephen are to vie for the hearts of their people during the festival day, with a popularity vote at the closing pub-sing to determine who gets to be the monarch, it would be a matter of displaying her unflattering characteristics in a way that is humorous enough to try to win the support of the patrons. As an actor, this is the more challenging and interesting option to me: to make someone inherently unpopular, popular. (...and I could do it, too, not to toot my own horn too loudly lest I become guilty of typecasting myself into the role...)

If, on the other hand, the storyline were to have her be the dark, unpopular, disagreeable figure she apparently was, then that is how I would portray her, end of story.

(OK, ED, prepare yourself for a sales pitch!) As I think about what it would be like to have two Matildas and one Steven vs. four pairs of foreign monarchs running about the festival, it occurs to me that the dramatic (and comedic) potential of the first option (the triad) is the better of the two.

If I may make so bold as to state my opinion, the more you split the focus, the less likely it is that the patrons will be able to follow the storyline, which results in a muddy story. You can still have the other visiting monarchs as a colorful supporting cast, but keep the main story simple.

Three is a dynamic number (ever read No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre?). It offers a multitude of possibilities. Just think of all the options for street-bits centered around name and identity mix-ups! And the supposed love-triangle between Stephen and the Empress could be played up as well. It would be a medieval comedy of errors.

For example, Stephen sends his wife the Queen a rose (via a patron) and it gets delivered to the wrong Matilda, who shows it to the "right" Matilda triggering a fit of jealousy, thus threatening by default Stephen's ability to rule and increasing the Empress' chances at grabbing the throne. Or the opposite: he plots to have the "Empress" disgraced in some manner, and his wife is caught in the web instead! OHH! Here's another one: The Empress writes Stephen a hate letter which gets (of course) confused with a love letter from the Queen, thus breaking Stephen's heart, etc.

Oh, the possibilities! But I digress...and anyway, it's up to you as ED to decide how it goes.

So on now to Queen Matilda! As mentioned earlier, she is reputed to have been the power (or at least the brains) behind the throne, though in a most gentle and agreeable manner, of course!

And since she is one of a pair, my portrayal of this Queen would need to depend on how you plan on having her husband Stephen portrayed. If he is to be played as the historically incompetent figure that he apparently was, then his Queen, Matilda, would have to have a "stronger" personality to compensate.

If you would rather have Stephen and Matilda sharing the power and spotlight, then, naturally, I would play the Queen to complement the King, neither dominating nor being dominated. If on the other hand you want a strong Stephen with a supportive (in acting terms) wife, then I can do that too. I'm an actor, enough said.

And speaking of actors, if I might take a moment to cast another sales pitch, I would like to do so. In looking at the dynamics of the "comedic love-triangle/grappling for the crown option" it seems to me that you would need to cast some pretty strong actors in each of the titular roles. You would need actors that know when to throw focus to their fellows and when to step into the spotlight.

You don't need me to tell you that comedy is much more difficult to play than tragedy, though I'd like to remind you that it is. I realize that the option to have the two Matildas and Stephen as the lead characters is both the simpler and yet the more challenging one, from an acting perspective. The festival would be "carried" on the shoulders of these three actors, so you would have to know that you could trust those people to do the job well.

Maybe you like my idea and can already think about whom else (besides me, of course!) you would want to use. Maybe you like my idea but feel overwhelmed by the thought of casting the right people. Well, I happen to know some pretty talented folk that could fill those big, empty shoes.

So, If you're interested in considering my proposal, let's talk and come to an agreement as to who, where, when, and not least of which, how much. I am confident that I can work with you and the members of your cast to create a dynamic performance for your festival. It might even become legendary! Your festival deserves the best, right?

So what are you waiting for? Contact me and let's get talking!

(But enough of the heavy sales pitch! Let me show you what I think these ladies would wear, so read on to the next section!)

4. Forget the intellectual gibberish! Show me the sketches of these Matildas!

Here is a coin depicting Matilda as Queen of the English. Doesn't give me a lot to go by, so on to other sources.

OK, there aren't a lot of pictures online of what I've got in my head, so I'll have to do up some sketches and post them later. For now, here's the basic "look":

A bliaut with corsage and hip belt for Queen Matilda in bright, happy colors.

Empress Matilda would have a more sober version of this garment, with heavier fabrics and more subdued colors.

I know the picture is fuzzy, but it's what I could find online. She at least needs a crown and more accessories. I'll get out my sketch pad and draw something up within the next day or so. Check back again later and you won't be disappointed!

Update: Since writing the above I had a flash of inspiration! What if the two Matildas showed up at the festival wearing almost the exact same garments? The "Empress" could have a "bigger" crown and more expensive-looking trim, but the basic colors could be the same as the "Queen's".

I can already hear all the women in the audience "getting" the visual joke immediately and breaking into a peal of laughter, so here's a sketch I drew of them upon their first encounter:

The "Empress" (being the less tolerant of the two, remember), is pointing accusatorily at the "Queen" who is wearing a surprised expression. The Queen is probably worrying about how this faux pas will affect her husband's reign, while the Empress takes it as a personal affront and another example of "The Usurpers'" treachery.

(Again, having the two Matildas wearing similar garments sets the stage for the comedy of errors that could ensue if you go with this option. As mentioned elsewhere on this website, but worth repeating here, besides being an accomplished actor, I also design and sew my own garments, so creating the garb for this option would be a simple matter for me.)