Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh (Coming Soon!)

Photo Credit: Christopher D'Amore

Pickwick's loves to get involved with the vibrant arts scene in Portsmouth and when the lovely Joi Smith, director of the upcoming show of Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, revealed the famous subject of her most recent production, we did not jump, but leapt at the opportunity to assist. On Wednesday, I went down to snap some shots of the already sumptuous affair and to chat with the cast as they prepare for the challenge and exhilaration of performing Joel Gross's scandalous drama.

Click to enlarge

The story follows the delicate machinations of the beautiful and conniving Madame Le Brun as she manipulates her paramour, Count Alexis de Ligne, into seducing the queen so that the distance between them is diminished. In this way, she hopes to gain a commission to paint the beautiful young queen. But even Le Brun's blind ambition and Alexi's philandering ways cannot prepare or protect them from the authentic love they begin to feel for Marie. Beyond the walls of this claustrophobic game of social chess, the storm of the Revolution gains momentum, and soon, the petty heartache and drama of the French court will be swept away by the gathering tide of history.

Sitting in the warm round of The Player's Ring, over pizza and cake, I spoke with the cast and director. Their excitement is positively contagious and I was thrilled to be invited into their preparations (and their dinner break). Listen to our little chat below and please excuse some of the bumps and bruises in the audio. It's time for this shop-girl to get a big kid recorder:

I was excited about the show before, but now I am literally counting down the days. It's been a while since I've been so very excited for a trip to the theater.

As a bit of a collaboration, we've compiled a few Pickwickian delights to further immerse the city in the unfolding world of Versailles.

From Marie Antoinette's Garden: $35 at Lady Pickwick's
Royal Apothic Hair Powder: $14 at Pickwick's Mercantile
A Day at Versailles: $40 at Lady Pickwick's
Gracie Bone China Box Tea Cup Set: $28 (!) at Lady Pickwick's
La Chasse Aux Papillons: $165 at Pickwick's Mercantile

I can't get over that Gracie Bone China tea set in the hot pink. We also carry it in yellow and orange and blue and goodness, you're just going to have to come down to Lady Pickwick's and see! Did I mention that we're officially open for business? They remind me so much of Sofia Coppola's sumptuous Marie Antoinette, with all of its wild colors and breathtaking visuals. As for La Chasse? It's a French perfume, but more than that binds it to Marie- its blend of warm tuberose, orange blossom, and spices makes for a chase indeed as snapping freshness pursues an indolent sweetness and warmth around the garden. 

I will be at Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh on opening night and I hope to see some of you lovely readers there! Prepare for an evening that has stepped out of time!

Purchase your tickets HERE.

Want more Marie? Jasmin Hunter took gorgeous shots for the show- see HERE.

Our photographer was the talented Christopher D'Amore. See his portfolio HERE.

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Can't come in for yourself? 

 Send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com

and we will make sure your goodies come to your doorstep!