A royal scandal comes to Canberra with Melanie Tait’s The Queen’s Nanny

Posted on 12 June, 2025

If you loved The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, hold onto your hats because a new work from Melanie Tait is hitting Canberra’s stage.

And it’s perfect for anyone who can’t resist a comedy drama.

Inspired by historical events, and written by the journalist, author and broadcaster (and former Canberran), The Queens Nanny is a sparkling new show that explores the life of the royal family’s original memoirist.

Delving into the quarrel that erupts between the steely Queen Mother and her children’s doting nanny following the release of a tell-all memoir (long before the scandalous insights shared by Princess Diana Prince Harry), it’s everything you love in a play: scandal, drama and power.

Have no idea what royal scandal we’re talking about?

Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford adored her job as governess to Princesses Lilibet (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister Margaret Rose. That was until she was ostracised without warning, despite dedicating the best part of her life to raising, educating and caring for the young royals. The reason? The publication of The Little Princesses, her tell-all memoir, in 1950.

The Queen’s Nanny is a blackly funny play inspired by the unimaginable furore that ensued, which questions our allegiance to this foreign institution of power and wealth, while exposing its dark, hidden secrets.

“I’m very excited to bring this amusing, insightful and thought-provoking play to audiences in Canberra, fresh off its world premiere in Sydney.” Canberra Theatre Centre Director, Alex Budd.

Taking over the Canberra Theatre Stage from Thursday 19 until Saturday 21 June and brought to life by Ensemble Theatre (the creative team behind the sell-out success of The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race), grab your tickets – and some popcorn –  to see it for yourself.

Photography: Melanie Desa.