Overview
Synopsis
King Henry VIII is trapped in purgatory and bound to his throne by a sinister Fool, and the ghostly Women in White. Here in his gilded cage, he is forced to relive the sins he committed against his Queens, mistresses and people, over and over again for an eternity.
Part historical drama, part gothic drama, part dark comedy, Queens explores power, survival and reputation through the voices of the women history often reduced to a single sentence: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
An ensemble driven piece, female heavy, but with very flexible casting (10-20+ actors). The historical elements in Queens are factually correct and verified by a Tudor historian. The script integrates a multitude of original source documents; letters, eye-witness accounts, 16th century children’s rhymes and song lyrics. There are opportunities to integrate physical theatre, dance and song into the staging of your production.
Show Information
Context
Performances of Queens have won multiple awards at UIL and One Act Play Competitions in the USA at all levels, District, Regional, State and National.
Queens is available for licensing as both a two-act and one-act play.
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Character Portrayals
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Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
Relating to gender equality, often a theme or character perspective in plays that challenge patriarchal norms.
A form of government often portrayed in historical plays to explore lineage, power, betrayal, and class structures.
An extended speech delivered by a single character, either to another character or the audience. Monologues are used for character development and to reveal inner thoughts.