In this strange complex of time and space anything can happen

Hi! I have read that section of the book now, so can report on what it says. Bingham seems pretty impressed with the 2006 film of Marie Antoinette. According to him, it takes some important steps away from typical female biopics by a) portraying Marie Antoinette's life from her point of view, rather than the (more dehumanised) point of view of outside observers, and b) showing her as coming into conflict with whole systems (e.g. the expectations placed upon her in her role as Louis' wife), instead of simplifying those conflicts into melodramatic fallings-out with specific individuals (as earlier films have often done). He also thinks that the film places a very feminist emphasis on the way she is made into a scape-goat for economic problems and a system of rule which were not personally her fault. But I will have to let you comment on whether that's a fair assessment or not, as I haven't seen the film!

Meanwhile, the play which Nicolas' mother saw sounds excellent. What a fascinating approach, and I wonder whether the script is tries hard to ensure that she gets at least a reasonably favourable hearing? It must keep things more interesting for the actors, too, by giving them a little bit of variety each evening.