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HANDBAGGED Cast Set at Stephen Joseph Theatre

Pandora Clifford, Alexandra Mathie, and Deven Modha star in Moira Buffini's Olivier Award-winning comedy.

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HANDBAGGED Cast Set at Stephen Joseph Theatre

The cast has been announced for the Stephen Joseph Theatre's production of Moira Buffini's wickedly funny Olivier Award-winning comedy Handbagged. They are Pandora Clifford, Liz Garland, Alexandra Mathie, Deven Modha, Simon Darwen and Meriel Scholfield.

The show, at the SJT from 31 July to 29 August, imagines what happened behind closed palace doors when the world's most powerful women clashed.

Queen Elizabeth II – the monarch. Margaret Thatcher – her most powerful subject. Two women meet once a week for eleven years. One believes there is no such thing as society. The other has committed her life to serving it.

Winner of a 2014 Olivier Award and a West End smash hit, Handbagged takes us from 1979 to 1990 and asks if the Queen and the Iron Lady ever found common ground, or did their stiff upper lips reign supreme?

Director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder says: “I'm absolutely thrilled to be directing Handbagged at the SJT this summer, working with this brilliant company of actors to bring to life some of the most prominent figures from recent history. Presenting Handbagged in the round is so exciting, engaging in an immediate dialogue with our audience, and bringing them face to face with two of the most powerful women of the 20th century.”

Handbagged is designed by Katie Scott, with lighting design by Charly Dunford and sound design and composition by Lee Affen. The Movement Director is Aiden Crawford and the Casting Director is Annelie Powell CDG CSA.

It can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 31 July to 29 August, and then tours to Theatr Clwyd, where it can be seen from 15 to 26 September.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Scenic Design - Top 3
1. Dane Laffrey - The Lost Boys
31.8% of votes
2. Scott Pask - Schmigadoon!
10% of votes
3. Soutra Gilmour - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
8.9% of votes

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