Review by Shane Kelley
In 1936, the world was rocked by the news that England's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne for love. Was Mrs. Simpson Edward's true love, or second choice?
Two weeks after Edward’s death in 1972 at age 78, an 80-year-old former teacher in Cambridge (formerly Galt), had her tombstone engraved with the words Millicent A. M.M.M, wife of Edward (VIII), Duke of Windsor 1894-1972. The romance and marriage is unlikely, but possible. The young prince did visit Galt, Ontario in 1919, and was known to occasionally balk at the constraints and responsibilities of his official duties.
Milli was a broken-hearted war widow who preferred her garden to the pomp and circumstance surrounding the prince’s royal visit. Did Milli and Edward cross paths one day when the prince ducked out of an official ceremony and went for a walk? Did they fall in love and secretly marry against the king’s orders? Award winning playwright, Gary Kirkham, visited Millicent Milroy’s gravesite and found inspiration to write a play about the real or imagined star-crossed lovers.
Edward did visit Gault and was introduced to Milli’s father. Some visitors to Milli’s home claim to have seen numerous photographs of the prince and a marriage certificate, but, there are no known witnesses to verify the relationship. Mysteriously, Milli’s house was vandalized after her death and most of her papers and photographs vanished.
Actor Rebecca Croll was so believable as Milli, that I not only admired the character’s inner strength, but wanted to shake her and tell her not to give up on someone that loved her, no matter who he was. Playwright Gary Kirkham told me that “Milli” has been presented by seven theatre companies and that in his opinion, Rebecca Croll’s Milli, was the best, by far. “Most had the spunk and softness of Milli, but Rebecca was the only one that really showed the inner strength that I attempted to write into the character.” I don’t think you could find a more princely Edward than Mark Waters. Waters both looked and acted the role of the prince with such subtle grace and innocent charm, that I left thinking I knew a little more about the real Edward.
I loved playwright Kirkham’s dialogue for Milli and Edward and the verbal sparring between the witty and unimpressed small-town teacher “you’re a pompous nit-wit” and the spoiled Prince “you’re a venomous snake.” Their banter ightened the mood and proved that opposites often attract as we watch the couple fall in love.
Kirkham said “I’m very happy with Waters’ portrail of Edward as he showed us the sad and neglected boy within the Prince more than any of the other actors that have played him and this really enhanced the dynamic of the character.” Milli’s mother and Royal groupie, Mrs. Milroy (Sandy Ferguson), was amusing as she bubbled over in awe of the prince. “I liked the way she played the character from ditzy to thoughtful and caring, as it played nicely off the more sensitive moments” commented playwright Kirkham. I liked Clive Brewer as an elegant and believable Godfrey who wishes to be more like a friend to Edward, but is stoicly penned in by his training and social standing. Neglected since early childhood by his own father, the king, Edward has only Godfrey as a father-figure. Claire Shamy Kirshner did a nice job as Milli’s glitzy dressed and eppervesant friend Mona. The two-scene set was effective (Steve Gillam) with creative lighting and back-lit effects (Seamus Ryan) and attention-to-detail sound design (Peter Cook). Makeup and hair by Deirdre Drum. I thought the costuming (especially Edward) by Pamela Lee was terrific and perfectly period, but would have preferred to see Milli in more appealing/less dowdy dresses. Mary Vuorela's directorial debut with Lakeshore players earned a standing ovation opening night. Don't miss this unique play, on for another week at John Rennie Theatre in Pointe Claire. www.lakeshoreplayersdorval.org, box office 514-631-8718.