Katherine Howard Premieres at Chichester
Date: 9 September 1998
The world premiere of William Nicholson's Katherine Howard opens at the Chichester Festival next Tuesday, 15 September following previews from today, 9 September. The play by the Shadowlands author is directed by Robin Lefevre and stars Richard Griffiths in his Chichester debut. Katherine Howardis the final production in the 1998 Chichester Festival season.
The play focuses on the 'May to December' relationship between Henry VIII and his fifth wife. How do two such different people become friends and find love? Nicholson explores the psychology of the ill-fated alliance where the young bride, despite the sincere affections of her world-weary husband, falls victim to the conspiracy of court enemies.
Richard Griffiths plays King Henry. Griffiths is well-known for his roles in television and film projects such as Pie in the Sky and Withnail and I. His distinguished stage career includes several RSC seasons. Most recently, he appeared in the West End in Art and in the Almeida production of Heartbreak House.
The title role in Katherine Howard is played by Emilia Fox, who has appeared in several BBC period serialisations including Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Fox appeared at Chichester last year in the RSC production of The Cherry Orchard.
Katherine Howard is the third play by William Nicholson. His Shadowlands, based on another ill-fated marriage, that of C.S. Lewis, was nominated for the Evening Standard's Best Play Award. Nicholson is also an award-winning film director and writer whose work includes the film version of Shadowlands, Sweet As You Are, Nell, First Knight and the recently released Firelight.
Robin Lefevre, whose production of Brian Friel's Give Me Your Answer, Do! was recently staged at the Hampstead Theatre, directs. Design is by Liz Ashcroft, lighting by Mick Hughes, music by Anders Sodergren and choreography by Stuart Hopps.
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