Regina Vagina
★★★★☆ Historical debauch
PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms (Venue 171): Sat 2 – Sun 24 Aug 2025
Review by Orna Clarke
Regina Vagina at CC Blooms’ downstairs LAB is an outrageously camp hour of historical storytelling with twists you can’t possibly see coming, even though you’ve probably heard this story before.
Beth Eltringham and Oliver Giggins’ ludicrously funny musical for Erstwhile Media and Old’n’Dead Productions tackles all the history questions you’ve been too afraid to ask, including: ‘Elizabeth I or cake?’ and (to the tune of Greased Lightnin’) ‘She reigned supreme, but did she cream?’
Calum Philp as William ‘Shakey Speares’. Pic: Erstwhile.
Emceed by lovable host, Calum Philp’s William ‘Shakey Speares’ (yes, there is a Britney number), Regina recounts the famously intertwined stories of historical figures Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots – but definitely not as you’ve heard them before.
Shakey Speares implores the audience not to take the show too seriously, but the care taken to balance historical accuracy with what he calls ‘creative liberty’ is undeniable, and part of what makes Regina work so well. A brief fourth wall break to debate whether Mary Queen of Scots (Charlotte Purdie) should speak with a Scottish or French accent sets the tone for the hour, which is comforting in its self-awareness.
a woke, queer Tudor
Eltringham commands the stage as anti-hero Elizabeth I, complete with a bejewelled corset and wicked cackle; Calum Philp’s crowd work as Shakey Speares hits the right note, and his quips, if sometimes predictable, have a lovely dad joke energy – if your dad was a woke, queer Tudor.
Pedro Branco is irresistibly charming as Philip ii of Spain, with pitch-perfect line delivery and a hilarious lyric-swapped rendition of Never Gonna Give You Up; meanwhile Purdie is a true chameleon, embodying an impressive five characters.
Charlotte Purdie as Mary Queen of Scots. Pic: Erstwhile.
There are brief but memorable appearances by Robert Dudley (Branco), Robert Devereux (Eltringham) and François, Duke of Anjou (Purdie), a selection of Elizabeth I’s rumoured suitors; and two of the show’s funniest moments come from Purdie’s stage exit as the seductive Sir Walter Rayleigh, and a hysterical Mary I cameo as a literal ball-and-chain.
The brilliant absurdity is only heightened by homemade props and original lyrics set to hit songs. During the Spanish Armada the cast don homemade ships and belt out ‘I would send 750 ships, and I would send 750 more’ to the tune of 500 Miles. The Queen of Scots’ disembodied head delivers an almost-haunting reimagining of Behind Blue Eyes. And as the audience is encouraged to sing along to no less than five rewritten versions of If You’re Happy and You Know It, listing the many, varied – and often baffling – methods of Tudor contraception.
surprising vulnerability
But the absurdity never feels inappropriate. It reaches full pitch as Elizabeth I reflects on the many conspiracies levelled against her, which Shakey Speares neatly compares to those of today (Avril Lavigne, anyone?); then Eltringham brings the audience back down to earth with surprising vulnerability when Elizabeth I’s governess, Kat Ashley (Purdie), makes a short but powerful appearance to add some vital context.
Beth Eltringham as Elizabeth. Pic: Erstwhile.
Audiences certainly don’t have to be fans of the monarchy to enjoy Regina or appreciate its message. Built on innuendo, Shakey Speares describes it as ‘One show that will not skimp on giving head’ – nor does it skimp on its critique of how history has treated its central female figures: denying them their humanity and reducing them to symbols of their era.
As Ashley puts it: ‘Having trauma doesn’t make you any less of a bad bitch!’ Regina celebrates the bad bitch in all of us.
Running time: One hour (no interval).
PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms (LAB), 23-24 Greenside Place EH1 3AA (Venue 171).
Saturday 2 – Sunday 24 August 2025.
Even dates (not Mon 18): 5.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Facebook: @Old’n’Dead Productions
Instagram: @oldndeadproductions
TikTok: @oldndeadproductions
The Spanish Armada. Pic: Erstwhile.
@oldndeadproductions Well this queen was: problematic, anti catholic, charismatic, why it’s queen Lizzie! Check out a clip from last year’s run of Regina Vagina! We are back again this year at the Edinburgh Fringe from 2nd- 24th August 5:30pm with our horrible histories inspired musicals about Elizabeth i’s virginity and our new musical about Charles ii ‘s rule and libido. Regina Vagina (even dates excluding 18th) Charles ii: Living Libido Loca (odd dates) Disclaimer: this is a video of last year’s performance and cast not this year’s #musicaltheatre #edinburghfringe2025 #theatre #comedy #horriblehistories #historical #historicalcomedy #elizabethi #documentary #comedyvideo
ENDS
