Short review: Mary Stuart

This taut historical drama (by F. Schiller, not The Bard) depicts two queens contending for the crown in Shakespeare’s time… and Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots both know only one can survive. Excellent performances by professionals Sharon Rietkerk and Jamie Jones make this show worth the drive to see. Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, performance times vary; Through 8/4; $30-$15; Davis Shakespeare Festival at Veterans Memorial Theatre, 203 E. 14th Street in Davis; (530) 802-0998; shakespearedavis.org.