Synopsis Compelling, witty and often laugh-out-loud funny, this celebration of a great English heroine, Anne Boleyn leaps cunningly between generations to reveal the debt the outrageous yet scholarly James I owed to Anne when he reconciled England s religious factions by creating his common, ?authorised Bible. Hunting through an old chest, the newly crowned James discovers the controversial legacy of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII s notorious second wife. Time jumps back 70 years, when the witty and flirtatious Anne was in love with Henry, but also with the most dangerous ideas of her day. Conspiring with the exiled William Tyndale, she plots to make England Protestant. For ever.
In the programme, the Globe's artistic director, Dominic Dromgoole, notes the lack of good quality touring drama for bigger venues. It is indeed a rare treat to see a company of 22 fill the large stage of the Festival Theatre in a straight play. I am happy to report that the quality is there on show too in Howard Brenton's vivid imagining of the life of the staunch Protestant Anne, who comes to haunt James I., the King formerly known as James VI of Scotland.
John Dove's intelligent and nimble production is enhanced by a slew of notable performances. Jo Hebert's Anne is strong, determined and bright and David Sturzaker's Henry is clever and virile. James Garnon is splendid as the hyperactive, cross-dressing,wise fool, James I. There are equally strong performances from Julius D'Silva as a chilling Thomas Cromwell ( Peter Mandelson crossed with The Master from Doctor Who) and Colin Hurley as Wolsey, whose scarlet gloves conceal the sharp claws beneath. The ensemble is filled with thoughtful and strong portrayals of the various historical figures in the lives of Anne and James.
One surprising aspect of the large and appreciative mid -week matinee audience was the lack of school parties. If you are going to turn kids on to history, a production like this would seem ideal. Brenton's play is large scale in production terms but also in ideas - irreverant, illuminating and enormouly entertaining.
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