Anne Boleyn (play) facts for kids

The play Anne Boleyn is a historical drama written by English author Howard Brenton. It first opened at Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London in 2010. The play explores the life of Anne Boleyn, who was the second wife of King Henry VIII.

In the play, Anne Boleyn is shown as a strong person. She was involved in the political and religious changes happening at the royal court. She also supported the idea of Protestantism because she loved the Tyndale Bible.

About the Play's History

This play was specially created for Shakespeare's Globe. It first showed there from July 24 to August 21, 2010. John Dove directed the play. Miranda Raison played the main role of Anne Boleyn.

The play was shown alongside some of Shakespeare's historical plays. These included Henry VIII and parts of Henry IV Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2.

In 2011, the play was brought back for a special celebration. This was for the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Most of the original actors returned for these shows.

The play won an award in 2011. It was named "Best New Play" at the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers Choice Awards.

In 2012, the Globe's production went on tour. It visited different places in England and Scotland. This tour was a joint effort by Shakespeare's Globe and English Touring Theatre. Many of the original actors were in the tour, but Jo Herbert played Anne Boleyn.

What Happens in the Play?

The play begins with the ghost of Anne Boleyn. She arrives carrying a copy of the Tyndale Bible. She speaks directly to the audience.

The story then moves to the year 1603. King James I arrives in London for his coronation. He finds a chest containing Anne Boleyn's coronation dress. Inside the chest, he discovers Anne's copies of the Tyndale Bible and another important book called The Obedience of a Christian Man. King James and his friend George Villiers then decide to look for Anne's ghost in the palace.

Anne Boleyn's Story Unfolds

The play then shifts back to Anne Boleyn's time at the English court. King Henry VIII meets her and falls in love. King Henry starts the process to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Meanwhile, Cardinal Wolsey and his advisor, Thomas Cromwell, try to gain power.

Anne secretly meets with William Tyndale. He gives her a copy of The Obedience of a Christian Man. This book was not allowed at the time. Anne gives the book to her ladies-in-waiting. But two of Wolsey's servants take it from them. They give it to Wolsey, who is happy to use it against Anne.

Anne asks Cromwell for advice. She finds out that Cromwell is also a supporter of Protestant ideas. Anne follows Cromwell's advice. She acts before Wolsey can use the book against her. This not only gets the book back but also leads to Wolsey losing his power. Anne also helps convince King Henry that the King, not the Pope, should be the head of the church in England. The story then moves to 1532 in Calais, France, where Henry meets with Francis I of France.

King James and the Bible

The play returns to King James's time. He tries to bring peace after the religious changes that Anne's actions and Henry's divorce caused. He holds a meeting called the Hampton Court Conference. This meeting brings together different groups within the Church of England. These groups are the Puritans and the Anglicans.

The Puritan group is led by John Reynolds. The Anglican group is led by Lancelot Andrews. Both are moderate leaders. However, extreme members on both sides cause the debate to last for many hours. King James finally ends the discussion. He strongly rejects any ideas of making the Church of England like the Scottish church. He believes this would weaken the King's power.

King James then meets privately with Reynolds and Andrews. They reach a compromise. They agree to create a new official version of the Bible. This would be the Authorized King James Version. It would have an Anglican style but would be based on the Tyndale translation, which the Puritans liked.

Anne's Final Days

The play goes back to Anne's story. We see the birth of her daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I. Anne then visits Tyndale with an offer from Cromwell. She suggests Tyndale join the King's council to help the Protestant cause. But Tyndale refuses. He tells her he does not support Henry's divorce and does not see Anne as Henry's true wife.

Later, Anne loses a male child. This hurts her relationship with Henry, but he still hopes for a son. However, Henry then takes Anne's lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour, as a mistress. This finally breaks his relationship with Anne. Anne is then imprisoned by Cromwell. She is kept from speaking with Henry before her execution. This is a move by Cromwell to stop her from telling Henry about his actions with money from the dissolved monasteries.

The play ends in 1603. Anne's ghost talks with King James about the Protestant changes she helped start. She then speaks to the audience before leaving.

Who Was in the First Show?

Here are some of the main actors and the characters they played in the play's first run:

• Michael Bertenshaw – Robert Cecil, an advisor to King James
• Sam Cox – Lancelot Andrews, a moderate Anglican leader
• Naomi Cranston – Lady Jane Seymour, Anne's lady-in-waiting
• John Cummins – Simpkin, a servant to Wolsey and Cromwell; and Parrot, a servant to Cecil
• Ben Deery – George Villiers, a friend of King James
• Mary Doherty – Lady Celia, Anne's lady-in-waiting
• John Dougall – Thomas Cromwell, an advisor to Wolsey and Henry
• Will Featherstone – Sloop, a servant to Wolsey and Cromwell
• James Garnon – King James I
• Peter Hamilton Dyer – William Tyndale
• Anthony Howell – King Henry VIII
• Colin Hurley – Cardinal Wolsey; and Henry Barrow, a Puritan extremist
• Amanda Lawrence – Lady Rochford, Anne's chief lady-in-waiting
• Miranda Raison – Anne Boleyn
• Dickon Tyrrell – Dr John Reynolds, a moderate Puritan leader

Characters Not Seen on Stage

Some characters are important to the story but do not appear on stage:

• Thomas More
• Catherine of Aragon
• Princess Elizabeth
• Francis I of France

See Also

• Anne Boleyn in popular culture

Reviews

• Guardian, July 30, 2010