Shakespeare Globe

Anne Boleyn

by Howard Brenton
World Premiere

Until 21 August
To book tickets online please click here »

**** 'Takes the tame conventions of historical drama and hurls them in the privy... Argues for Anne’s story to be read not as textbook tragedy but as something far more uplifting... John Dove’s ebullient, zesty production... Switches between arch politicking and Blackadder-ish flourishes with equal aplomb... Miranda Raison’s radiant, intelligent, beautiful Anne. She’s able to consort and flirt with the audience at close-range thanks to Michael Taylor’s pleasing design... Anthony Howell makes for a dashing, dishy Henry VIII, James Garnon is terrific as James I, while Colin Hurley is a memorably fat and sly Cardinal Wolsey' Daily Telegraph Full review »

**** 'Miranda Raison's engaging Boleyn... I enjoyed it a lot' The Times

'Raison compellingly suggests a woman prepared to face down a court of politicking men, and Howell, a lithe and handsome Henry, has a bounce and swagger that explain all those wives, as well as his frustration with the Roman church... Appealing shading from the supporting cast' Evening Standard

Anne Boleyn celebrates the life and legacy of a great English heroine - traditionally seen as either the beautiful and virtuous victim of a tyrant husband, or as an ambitious and ruthless reformist manipulating her way into power.

But Brenton puts a very different Anne - and her ghost - on the Globe stage. Witty, flirtatious and confident, she’s in love with Henry but also with the most dangerous ideas of her day. Conspiring with the exiled William Tyndale, Anne plots to produce a Bible that everyone can read - a translation that will permit her marriage to Henry, haunt her daughter's successor, and transform Britain forever.

Miranda Raison stars as Anne Boleyn. She is best known for her role as Jo Portman in the BBC's hit drama Spooks and most recently as Abbey in ITV's Married Single Other.

Award-winning playwright Howard Brenton's previous work includes In Extremis at Shakespeare's Globe (2006 and 2007).

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