The Queen's Speech

Actor, director and theatre maker Helen Cuinn has spent years researching and developing her characterisation of Mary Queen of Scots. After hearing herself performing as Mary on a podcast, Helen found herself questioning if she had perfected the Queen of Scots' voice or if people listening would hear only a pseudo-Glaswegian. This self-portrait documentary gives Helen the space to explore what Mary's voice might have sounded like and why it's so important to her to get it right. But making this film brings up more questions than answers and is it really about Mary Queen of Scots? Being an artist in the digital world looks quite different in this social media age and in a global pandemic setting. Creators are often expected to produce despite the toll that process takes on their mental health. Who are they performing for and why do they feel like they need to be relevant and memorable? This double portrait of an artist and her character persona explores the importance of voice and belonging in the modern world.