A NEW play will give audiences a window into the life of Princess Margaret.

Inspired by actual events in the life of the late Princess Margaret, A Princess Undone comes to Salisbury Playhouse for just eight performances from Monday, October 16 to Saturday 21, before a London run.

A Princess Undone stars Harriet Thorpe who has appeared in Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire and Calendar Girls.

Harriet says: “It is about Princess Margaret at a certain time in her life which one would call perhaps the renaissance, post marriage, when she is happier. This is just one night when she has got a group of people together for various reasons, and some she hasn’t chosen, to help her clear things that might be inflammatory or troubling if the press got hold them – personal letters etc. So you just have this little window into this one evening and there are certain things that contribute to it, possibilities that it was an evening that actually existed or a culmination of things put together that create this drama and comedy as well there are lots of laughs.”

She says audiences can expect to “laugh a lot” and “have a really good time”. A Princess Undone is written by writer, director and actor Richard Stirling.

On playing the character of Princess Margaret, Harriet adds: “Again it is not spitting image it is not to do a character of somebody or to be abusive in any way it is to have a window into one particular evening and to have a laugh and to have some poignant moments that deal with life, loss and coping – something we all identify with.

“What is important to me is not to do a caricature. I don’t look at it as this has been a real person therefore I must emulate this person. It is about the story and the bigger picture and the journey of emotions that we all share.”

“Just exploring this journey of this night is amazing,” explains Harriet. “In one evening you can experience all sorts of emotions and things come into your head, memories and people, and also makes you self reflective and I think that is why it is an interesting part to play.”

Harriett says she is “thrilled” to be making a return to Salisbury Playhouse.

She recently reunited with her fellow The Brittas Empire cast members for the reopening of Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre, where some of the sitcom show’s scenes were filmed.

On the possibility of a return of the show she says: “We don’t know, who knows, we hope so - it would be fun. The writers seem enthusiastic so we’ll see.”

For more information or tickets for A Princess Undone call the box office on 01722 320333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com.