In the end, the queen who watched some of Shakespeare’s plays wasn’t just a historical figure. She was a fan. She was the first person to “trend” the Bard. Without her stamp of approval, Shakespeare might have been just another playwright with a funny beard. She gave him the royal treatment, and in return, he gave her a cultural immortality.
So next time you’re stuck in a terrible restaurant and the Wi-Fi is down, remember Queen Elizabeth I. She sat through a three-hour play in a scratchy dress, with no smartphone, and enjoyed it. She knew that a good story, a well-timed joke, and a bit of fake blood could make you forget your troubles. That’s the magic of live theatre, even when the burgers are burned and the queen is watching.
