The Shotgun Players’ current production of “Mary Stuart,” director Mark Jackson’s adaptation of the classic historical drama by Friedrich Schiller, brings history to life with its passionate focus on a few essential elements of the epic struggle that occurred between Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots in 16th-century England.

Jackson lends an intensely human perspective to the events, enhanced by clever lighting and sound effects (by Jacob Petrie and David Graves, respectively) and a sparse set employing little more than a few simple tables and chairs. The production also makes effective use of an arrangement of video screens, creating special emphasis with unique camera perspectives.
Actors Equity Association member Stephanie Gularte gives a remarkable performance as Mary, imprisoned for more than 18 years as a suspect in her husband’s murder and a threat to the English throne. Gularte bears the lion’s share of responsibility on the stage, portraying the central figure of the play while mostly limited to the confines of a small, black and grey chair. She executes her musings, conversations and outbursts with tremendous emotion, yet without approaching the maudlin. She holds her audience rapt and engages her fellow characters with a natural feel.

The play mirrors the history of the final days of Stuart’s life in her English prison, incorporating details of her alleged crimes against her husband and country, and the alliances and betrayals that surrounded her and Elizabeth, in a remarkably concise format. The background of the story is complex, but Jackson succeeds in recreating the political atmosphere in this small time frame in a way that is compelling, even for an audience without prior knowledge of the historical facts. He introduces a few of the major players, lending each a distinct personality and set of personal motivations. He reveals just enough through their conversations to explain the forces at play, with spare enough detail that the focus remains on the internal struggles of the two queens.

Beth Wilmurt, a regular at Shotgun Players, is Queen Elizabeth, portrayed here as a rational but fervent patriot, anguished at the prospect of the intensely personal and political choices confronting her. In her sixth performance with the Shotgun Players, Wilmurt is a modern but stately queen, outfitted in a contemporary blouse and jacket, but regally poised and decisive. She masters the ability to appear painfully conflicted while remaining outwardly focused and authoritative.

Elizabeth betrays a deep-rooted affection for her imperiled cousin, alongside a feverish anger for Mary’s presumed treasonous deeds. Elizabeth holds herself to high standards of fairness, yet in the end, not willing to take full responsibility for her cousin’s fate, she maneuvers to pass that burden coldly along to a hapless underling, blindsided into her snare like a gnat to a spider’s web.

Dara Yazdani is the unfortunate undersecretary Davidson, who begs his queen to be clear with her instructions to him, to no avail. The brevity of his predicament is not lost on him, yet he can see no way out of the role he has been assigned, a role that will abruptly end his political career.

A few among the supporting cast also stand out. Equity actor Jesse Caldwell is endearing as Mary’s prison steward Paulet, at first appearing utterly loyal to his own queen and Mary’s enemy, but later revealing a genuine, personal sympathy for his prisoner. Ryan Tasker is the quintessential Mortimer, nephew to Paulet. He portrays a despicable, dangerously cunning but overly self-assured manipulator whose loyalties seem to shift with the wind. Peter Ruocco is Elizabeth’s chief advisor Burleigh, another unexpected casualty of the queen’s final evasive actions regarding her cousin’s execution. Like Tasker, Ruocco plays a single-minded and irritating character, advocating for his own agenda, but from a much more powerful political position than Mortimer’s.

Jackson has written a summary adaptation of Schiller’s classic tale that is relevant for modern audiences. It is entertaining, educational and inspired. A gifted cast and experienced crew round out a winning production that is sure to remain well-attended throughout its run, which ends Nov. 7.