Tony McNamara's play takes a few facts from the life of Catherine the Great to create a play that aims to capture the spirit of the great reformer of Russia.
Act 1 presents the young Catherine plotting a coup against her idiot Emperor husband Peter the Great whilst Act 2 moves on to the older Catherine herself now the target of coup plots.
This summation suggests a grim and serious work whereas McNamara's play is funny and bawdy. It is history as it might be viewed by a cross between The Goons and the Carry On team.
A simple set hints at the grandeur of the Russian court and the acting is generally of a high standard although I thought the young 'pretty boy' actor who plays a love interest of both Catherine and her daughter delivered his lines less effectively than the rest.
Some in the audience did not return for Act 2, perhaps offended by the language and bawdiness. Mk and I, however, loved the play.
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