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Elizabeth I is returning to London.
At least, award winning performer and writer, Christopher Green, will embody Good Queen Bess, as part of an elaborate procession this April, leading from Greenwich to Trafalgar Square.
In Elizabeth I: Construction of an Icon, Green — dressed as Elizabeth, and flanked by 'ladies of the bedchamber' singing a soulful 21st century masque — will have a send-off from the Queen's House in Greenwich, before sailing up the Thames, and arriving at the National Portrait Gallery.
It's a one-off, taking place on Friday 12 April.
Those 'ladies of the bedchamber' are, in fact, members of the Amies Freedom Choir, and female survivors of human trafficking.
Green will wear a replica of the garment as depicted in the Armada Portrait — on permanent display in the Queen’s House in Greenwich. The portrait commemorates the Spanish Armada's failed attempt to invade England in August 1588.
Although the Queen's House was built after Elizabeth I's reign, she was born in Greenwich, and the area was the home of Britain's naval forces while she was Queen.
Elizabeth I: Construction of an Icon takes place Friday 12 April. The procession starts at 11:15am from the Queen's House, Greenwich, arriving at the National Portrait Gallery at 3.30pm, where there's an exhibition on the project. Both procession and exhibition are free to attend.
All images © Rebecca Pierce
