The Phoenix is proud to present the New York American premiere of this award-winning play, which tells the story of Mary Stuart's last days. A prisoner of her cousin, Elizabeth, the Queen of Scots decides whether her plight is worth the risks of escape, only to find that political intriguers have made that choice for her. Surrounded by men who seek to exploit her, she finds that her royal dignity is violated as much by her confinement as it is by the moves of power-hungry pawns, willing to sacrifice the queen.   Mr. Maxwell (Broken Journey, Wolfpit) is the Phoenix's Playwright-in-Residence.

The Lifeblood first premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2004, where it was hailed as the British Theatre Guide's “Best Play on the Fringe."  The play was later produced in London in 2005.  Mr. Maxwell’s award-winning play tells the story of Mary Stuart’s last days. The Stage cheered, “Glyn Maxwell's script somehow manages to suggest the rhythm and structure of Shakespearean language while keeping it in a modern context. It feels like the history play Shakespeare never wrote.”

Mr. Maxwell (Broken Journey, Wolfpit) is the Phoenix’s Playwright-in-Residence.

The historical Mary

“Glyn Maxwell is a superlative writer, [his] writing gleams with the wit of John Donne and is delivered in the rhythm of Shakespeare.” – The Scotsman