Power. Betrayal. War. Revenge. Avant Bard Theatre proudly presents The Margriad, or the Tragedy of Queen Margaret, an electrifying new adaptation of Shakespeare’s history plays. Conceived by Séamus Miller, this bold production runs March 6–29 at Gunston Arts Center – Theater Two in Arlington, VA.
Weaving together Henry VI (Parts 1–3) and Richard III, The Margriad follows Queen Margaret of Anjou — a warrior, a survivor, and the ultimate political force — through her rise to power and downfall. “We have combined four of Shakespeare’s histories into a single production, following Queen Margaret — the woman who survives them all,” says adaptor/director Séamus Miller. “I refer to the adaptation as an anti-war ghost story. Dark, fast-paced, irreverent, and aggressive, The Margriad takes us to the intersection of War and Greed — and the sharpest edge of our comfort zone.”
With an ensemble of seven actors — including the three women that lead Avant Bard Theatre, Artistic Director Sara Barker and Artistic Associates Kathleen Akerley and Alyssa Sanders, playing Margaret in each of the show’s three acts — this two-hour epic illuminates Margaret at the forefront of the War of the Roses.
“In a time when our nation faces political upheaval and the world grapples with ongoing conflicts, the characters in The Margriad, including the great queen herself, offer insights into the consequences of irresponsible leadership and the resilience we need to navigate greed-fueled chaos.” says Artistic Director Sara Barker.
The Margriad, presented by Avant Bard Theatre, runs March 6-29, 2025, at Gunston Arts Center, Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St, Arlington, VA. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2:00 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $40 general admission ($20 for students, seniors, and military veterans and servicemembers) and available here. Previews (March 6-8) and Saturday matinees (including a mask-required performance Saturday, March 22) are pay-what-you-can.
About Avant Bard Theatre: Avant Bard produces thought-provoking theater dedicated to interrogating the classics and classical themes through innovative, bold approaches in intimate settings. Gratefully in its 35th season, Avant Bard has delivered high-quality, diverse, and accessible arts to the Washington, DC region since 1990.
