Lady Montagu Unveiled is back by popular demand and will play at Kings Head Theatre in the Main House for one week (10th - 15th Dec) this festive period, after two electric runs at Brighton & Camden Fringe 2024! Follow 18th-century “Aristo Influencer” Lady Mary Wortley Montagu as she shakes up British high society, embarks on adventures in the Ottoman Empire as an Ambassador’s wife, battles smallpox, and reinvents herself in the seductive and scandalous courts of Venice.
The show stars dynamo actress Thesy Surface (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), in a fresh one-woman show based on real life events that blends Gossip Girl, Bridgerton, with dashes of The Golden Age. Thesy displays dazzling range, infusing her characters with playful mischief and adventurous antics.
Directed by Julia Sopher, originally from Toledo, Ohio in The States, Thesy and Julia have re-created a dynamic and modern adaptation of writer/producer Duncan’s original play. This Christmas-themed rendition is packed with plenty of fresh punches and pizzazz.
Ahead of the run, we sat down with Thesy Surface to learn more.
What can you tell me about Lady Montagu Unveiled?
It’s a show. A SHOW in capitals. But seriously, I like to describe it as a staged biopic. One of those movie epics you’d see in cinemas in the 90s and 00s and now view more on Netflix. The oldie coming on and telling the audience about all her fascinating life adventures. Reminiscing on each stage, each challenge of her intrepid 18th century life- all condensed into a nicely digestible 70 minutes.
What first drew you to this piece?
I auditioned for the original play by Duncan Hopper, back in March, which was a lot more traditional and even had opera! So what first drew me, I guess, was…being hired. Then it was such an honour to research incredible Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and enmesh myself in her life. I'm her biggest fan now. No idea why she isn’t a bigger figure in the history books. Maybe we can change that.
How has the creative process been on this production?
Blood sweat, tears, laughs, arguments, “crazy” moments. and like fine wine, I believe, the show gets better with age. Bear in mind it’s merely been 6 months, rather than years, so the actualisation has been pretty speedy- as much as the show’s style. Since Brighton Fringe, Lady M has done the Camden Fringe, where we brought on a new, wonderfully talented American director, Julia Sopher. Now we’re at Hen and Chickens, entertaining the Sunday crowd with a matinee. And finally Kings Head Theatre- for a grand Christmas Special Edition.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
There’s no secret ingredient. Rehearse away. You just gotta keep doing it, especially as things change in the script. It’s my responsibility to nail down the different versions of Lady Mary, as well as the eccentric characters she encounters. I have to fully inhibit their psyches…then just let loose!
How do you feel Lady M would cope in the modern day?
Oh she’d have a blast! She might think some of the cancel culture was going a bit too far but she’d adore the human freedoms- LGBTQ rights, ability to define one’s own destiny, the ease of bursting out of the usual social constructs society places on us. Oh and she’s definitely appreciate quick and comfortable travel. A journey of 3 months back in Lady Mary’s time would be a mere day now.
Where did your arts career begin?
As a 7 year old, playing the Bi-Coloured Python Rock Snake at school in “The Elephant’s Child” musical. I somehow won the Junior Drama Cup for that. Even though my costume was a bit iffy.
How do you reflect on your career to date?
I feel like I’m coming into my own. A refreshed career. A stronger sense of self. My own 2.0. So far my resume has been a mixed bag of anything and everything- that goes for roles and format- TV, film, theatre, commercials. In the USA and UK. But there’s a lot more to do. I really know now the characters I want to play. The strong roles I want to inhibit. Switching it up from theatre to film/TV then back to theatre has also really been wonderful to get the juices going. Needless to say, I’m excited about 2025.
What keeps you inspired?
Life, people, humanity in general. Reading the Al Pacino book “Sonny Boy” right now. Wow.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the Lady Montagu Unveiled?
First and foremost, I want them to be entertained. If I’ve done that, I’ve done my job. Of course, I’d love the topics and the woman herself to be discussed but my prime desire is just to give the people a great show.
Following that, I’d love our piece to bring up questions of how outcasts are treated. Whether they’re aristocrats or born into the margins of society. Those delightful black sheep with “wacky” ideas and those who dare to go against the grain. How do we treat these people? Their concepts? Humorously, new notions are often seen as “crazy” by the establishment only to much later be accepted and absorbed as common practice (see the inoculation against smallpox). Hopefully the audience can also leave emboldened, knowing you can do it all, and forge your own path, if you have as much chutzpah as Lady Mary.
Where can audiences see the show?
There’s a cheeky Sunday matinee at Hen & Chickens on Nov 17th at 3pm.
Our “Vegas style” Christmas run will be at Kings Head Theatre from December 10th to 15th.
Tickets are available from https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/lady-montagu-unveiled
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