Overview
Synopsis
Howard Brenton’s two-act play follows Queen Anne Boleyn in this new revisionist tale of her famous story. Jumping in time between Henry VIII’s reign and James the Ist’s (70 years later), Brenton has re-written history with a new point of view; one where Anne serves as a catalyst for the religion reform and possibly even for the existence of the King James Bible. Upon finding a trunk of her old things, James begins a ghost hunt in the castle, hoping to find Anne’s body and the truth behind her beheading. With a new twist on history’s perceived reality, Anne Boleyn offers audiences a glimpse of a new Anne, one who was not merely a seductress, but a Protestant woman who changed the course of England’s destiny forever.
Show Information
- Book
- Howard Brenton
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2010
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical, Drama
- Settings
- Period
- Time & Place
- England, 1519-1536 and 1603-1604
- Cast Size
- large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Nick Hern Book
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Mychele Lebrun
Canadian music theatre artist currently based in London, England.