Moira Buffini's Handbagged: British History and Politics as Indirect Sources

Abstract

Literature has traditionally functioned as a means of entertainment and education. In achieving this dual purpose literary texts mostly operate through indirect allusions, implications and concealments. This paper explores Moira Buffini's 2013 play, Handbagged, in its use of British history and politics as indirect sources for its subject matter. The play is significant for mainly two reasons: in terms of content and form. Contentwise the playtext can be studied as an approximation, deconstruction and reconstruction of recent British history and politics in an indirect style. Formwise the playwright employs interesting techniques of doubling in creating an older and a younger version of Britain's two most powerful women. While the playwright imagines the private nature of the Queen's and Thatcher's conversations, she creates a satirical, political theatre which is also a rich history lesson. As the title suggests the play is concerned with the past and the way history and politics are crystallised, deconstructed and recreated on stage at present.