What happens when you put the two most powerful women in Britain in a room together almost every week for 11 years?

PREVIEW: Liz vs Maggie - who comes out top when the monarch and Prime Minister go head-to-head at Richmond Theatre?

Well, Moira Buffini’s Hangbagged hopes to shed some light on that – in fact, they were more than the two most powerful women, they were the two most powerful figures, full stop.

The relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has often been described as an ‘inconvenient’ one.

There was constant speculation of tension between the pair and Handbagged captures the snapshot of history, with a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek comedy to boot.

Littered with references about corgis and tea, Buffini opts for the unique setting of an elderly Queen and Lady Thatcher commentating and interjecting throughout the meetings of their younger selves.

It is a charming yet effective method of revealing the power struggle, yet mutual respect, between these two historical figures.

Susie Blake (the Queen) and Kate Fahy (Lady Thatcher) stand out for their comic timing and chemistry.

Nobody really knows what went on in those meetings but Handbagged offers a contemplative insight into what might – or might not – have been said.

I was not expecting it to be portrayed in the manner that Buffini went for but I am glad she did – this is a sterling piece of not-to-be-missed theatre.

Handbagged runs at Richmond Theatre until Saturday, November 28. Visit atgtickets.com/richmond for more information and ticket information.