Went to see this with my Mum on Wednesday night, tickets were 9 pounds each and spent another 1 on a flyer and 2 on fruit punch. Another triumph for Director Christine Davidson, her assistant Sally Ranson, and her cast of 17, some doubling up to play 2 parts. The costumes and set were out of this world and my Mother, myself and the rest of the audience were all captivated and mesmerised from the 745pm start to the 10pm finish with 15 minute interlude. Having seen the posters around town and having watched http://www.philippagregory.com/book/philippa-gregory-the-other-boleyn-g…, The Other Boleyn Girl in the cinema with my sister, I was very keen to watch this and learn more about this period of history, without having to spend time with my head buried in a book (life feels like its passing you buy a lot more) and also having helped out as a prompt with Christine Davidison's production of She Stoops To Conquer (another very good historical based satire), I was quite excited to come along. The play was as thought provoking as funny and I came away feeling I had gained a lot more than just enjoying my free time.
The play has been reviewed by Stuart Adkins for NODA nodarama.blogspot.com/, East http://michaelgray.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/anne-boleyn.html.
The programme detailed more information on the play and the actors.
A play by Howard Brenton www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/on-stage/anne-boleyn, www.ett.org.uk/productions/70/anne-boleyn, www.uardian.co.uk › Culture › Stage › Theatre, www.list.co.uk/article/42084-anne-boleyn/, www.independent.co.uk/.../anne-boleyn-drama-queen-2007616.html.
Which was an amateur production with permission from NIck Hern Books.
The action of the play takes place at The Court of King Henry VIII (1527 - 1536) and The Court of King James I (1603-1604). Songs - Pastime With Good Company composed by Henry 8th, A Might Fortress is Our God composed by Martin Luther.
Thanks was given to: The Gllobe London for the use of the head, Howard Brenton for giving the rights to the charity night free, Jeremy Battersby for his workshops, The Weekly News, BBC Essex and Chelmsford Radio, Darryl Webber - The Essex Chronicle, The High Chelmer Shopping Centre for publicity, Tamara von Werthern for helping get rights to play, Phill Oldershaw - publicity, Joe Kennedy, Tony Ellis, Amanda Craddock and all volunteers. Pete and Nicki Sims for the music workshop. The Manifest Theatre Company and The Guildonian Players for some extra costumes.
Christine Davidson, Directors' Notes:
'Welcome to The Old Court Theatre and our new foyer which in its 43rd year has had a face lift. Thanks to all the hard work over the years by our volunteers and Colin Baddock who bequeathed money towards us keeping our theatre alive and looking great.
Anne Boleyn; such a strong ambitious woman in a man's world. Was she a pawn in her family's rise to importance in the royal courts or did she use her intelligence and wiles to get her way to the top? Was she really a witch, an adulteress, did she really commit incest or was she unfairly treated due to a lack of male heir and her belief in the teachings of William Tyndale? Her story is one of love, death and betrayal but there is a sense also of fun and pure sexiness in her that draws us to her still.
Every year on the 19th May (the day of her execution), for over 40 years now, flowers are delivered to The Tower of London and no one knows who sends them. They are put on the floor of the small Chapel of St Peter and Vincula beneath where Anne's body and head were buried in a wooden chest without any plaque of stone. So still the fascination of her as a woman and as a Queen carries on. So much so that when this play was produced at The Globe it was so packed that it returned for another season in the second year and then went on tour. It became the play of the year 2011 and people are still asking for its return at The Globe.
CTW is one of the privileged few to get the rights for this production and one of the first to produce this play, indeed the East Anglian premiere rights, and I have to thank The Globe for all their help in being allowed the actual silicone head modelled on Miranda Raison who played Anne Boleyn in the productions and also thanks to Howard Brenton who has given the rights to his play on the 2nd October free for the charity night towards the Cirdan Sailing Trust which is the Mayor of Chelmsford's charity this year.
Sally Ransom as assistant director was a real blessing and from 16 to 80 the age range in this cast, has given a wonderful sense of family. If you fancy joining our dedicated group we would love to hear from you".