Royal Museums Greenwich present an online screening of Matriarchs, a stage play by Anne Chambers, inspired by the meeting of Grace O’Malley – known as Ireland’s ‘Pirate Queen’ – and Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace. The screening takes place on 2nd March 2022 at 6.30pm – 8pm for the Women’s History Month at the Royal Museums Greenwich.

Written and directed by Anne Chambers, Matriarchs is based on the meeting between Grace O’Malley – known as Ireland’s ‘Pirate Queen’ – and Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace in 1593.

It brings together two iconic female leaders, each imbued with a lifetime of experience and knowledge and who in their pioneering roles as powerful leaders have breached the boundaries of male power and bias.

But now in their declining years both women are experiencing the negativity, doubts and fears of growing old.

International focus on gender imbalance, female empowerment and ageism make the themes in this play resonate for women everywhere today.

The screening will be preceded by a talk with Anne Chambers.

Tickets are available here.

Watch the Matriarchs trailer:

This stage version was recorded live at Westport Town Hall Theatre in August 2021.

Image Conor Horgan