There can be no doubt this is a spectacular event. Anyone producing a musical lucky enough to have Hever Castle as a backdrop couldn’t really miss. The whole auditorium has been created to make this production happen and it works to perfection. We are all given headphones on entry to the tent-like enclosure, necessary in the open space, and these enhance our listening experience.
Hever Castle was, of course, the home of Anne Boleyn so there is no better place to set her life story. Dating from the 13th century, the castle is subtly lit up to make a breath-taking visual impact throughout the entire performance. The producers are Belgian-based moneyed aristocracy, the Astors and de Merodes who have created a theatre company, Historalia, to stage history-based musicals at historical sites. They have worked hard to involve the local community in their creation with the help of local volunteers as characters in the play as well as working backstage. Everyone – all 40 of them, came across professionally with 11 main actors playing the leading roles.
The plot romps through Anne Boleyn’s life time, taking a decidedly feminist angle on how women were used and abused at court. The story is an oft-told one, but it is well presented in this extravaganza where Anne is given more knowledge and political guile than she is normally credited with. She is given a major role in the creation of the English Reformation, for example, which might be over-stating the case. It works dramatically, however, as Anne’s fall is hastened by her unpopularity with the public who feel they have lost the comfort of their religion and the philanthropic work of the monasteries because of this woman’s hold over the king. The charges of sorcery against her, that she has ‘bewitched’ Henry, are thus given a validity which they lack in many versions. ‘We are all damned to hell and all because of her’, they sing.
The poor are a real feature in this production, not seen in many Tudor tales. The excellent professional cast is supplemented by a ‘community cast’ of ‘young’, ‘teenage’ and ‘adult’ performers whose dancing and singing makes the best use of the vast performance area for events like maypole dancing and popular rebellion. The songs are often in dialogue form with stunning harmonies, cleverly moving forward the action. Though the lyrics are simplistic and not particular memorable, they are to the point. ‘You should have been a boy’, sings Anne to her firstborn girl child, thereby summing up the pivotal point that would have saved her life.
Emily Lane is perfect as Anne Boleyn, as is Noah Sinigaglia as Queen Katherine, both playing with power and passion. Both have remarkably strong voices. Mark Goldthorp creates a swarthy King Henry and his duet with Matt Bond playing a crafty Cromwell shows off enough of their wonderful timbre to send shivers down the spine as they connive to get rid of Anne.
The highlight is when King Henry first arrives at castle, the actor riding on a beautiful white horse, using the paths and gardens as part of the set. Throughout, the visuals are marvellous, the costumes sparkling and the lighting of orange and gold throwing a warm glow over the night, but overall the play lacks enough emotional hit. On the whole though, this is a dazzling night and a unique experience, not to be missed.
Cast includes: Emily Lane, Mark Goldthorp, Noah Sinigaglia, Chomba S. Taulo, Matt Bond
Author: Rebecca Nigh
Co-Lyricists: Rebecca Night & Sam Kenyon
Composer: Sam Gevers
Director: Roxana Silbert
Theatre Company: Historalia
Performance Dates: 5-30 August 2025
Running Time: 2hour 45 mins including interval