Anne Boleyn The Production In Great Malvern

On 28th April, my mother and I hopped on numerous trains. The day's adventure (and lets face it, with us it always is) was to travel from our hometown of Cirencester, to Great Malvern in order to watch the production of 'Anne Boleyn'. As many of you might already know the production of 'Anne Boleyn' was written by Howard Bretton for the Globe Theatre. After two seasons with packed seats, Shakespeare's Globe, and ETT (English Touring Theatre) partnered together, in order to bring the popular production to the masses. Here is a synopsis of the play from the Globe Theatre's website:

'Hunting through an old chest, the newly crowned James I 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 – forever.
A celebration of a great English heroine, Anne Boleyn leaps between generations to reveal the debt the outrageous but scholarly James owed to Anne when he shrewdly reconciled England’s religious factions by creating his common, ‘authorised’ Bible.' 

As an avid Tudor nut, I had my speculations about this play. Was it going to be as good as the trailers made it out to be? And all the reviews?

I needn't have worried, it was a fantastic production being so witty, and humerous at points. I am not going to be like all the reviewers by only stating the positives, I do have some negatives about the play too, which are listed below:

• The protrayal of Anne Boleyn played by Jo Herbert lacked everything I was expecting, she had none of the elegance, charisma, or appeal that Natalie Dormer had portraying her. Jo Herbert, however was a fine actress, and carried the story well enough.
• The portrayal of Henry VIII by David Sturzaker was weak, I found that I was more taken with Thomas Cromwells authortarianship. Henry VIII is a large character to live up too, and David portrayed a fine example of a well dressed, and handsome monarch, but for me that was it.

It sounds mean, but I was expecting more from the actors when it came to portraying such important historical figures as my two heroes Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

I would recommend this play, it was espcially made (for me and mum) by James Garnon who played King James I. He provided so many comic moments, his timing flawless, just like his enthusiasm. I was so pleased when after the show I managed to see him outside the theatre having gone for a smoke. I plucked up the courage to talk to him, and ask for his autograph. James garnon is a truly fine actor!

The production finished touring in May, so if you get a chance go and see it, you wont regret it!

Rachel

Ian Mortimer - The Time Travellers Guide To Elizabethan England

On 11 April 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting historians Ian Mortimer and Marc Morris for an informal talk on their newly released books. Whilst I am a fan of history, I am afraid to say that the Norman Conquest is not within my area of historical knowledge, thus the 45 minute talk given by Marc, although humorous was slightly lost on me I am afraid to say. I was here to see Ian Mortimer famously known for his book 'A Time Travellers Guide To Medieval England'.

Ian's latest book was designed in the same pretence of his Medieval one, only this time it is based (as it's title suggests) on the Elizabethan period. Listening to Ian Mortimer it is clear to see that his book covers many topics within the Elizabethan period, from bearbaiting to the Gloriana herself. It was easy to see also that Ian was highly taken with this period of history, from the way he spoke about it.

After a glass of wine I plucked up the courage to ask him a question. My question was thus:

"I noticed that you quite significantly jumped from the two periods. I was just wondering why you chose to focus on Elizabeth rather than the other well-known Tudor monarch Henry VIII? Surely, The period within history that he reigned over brought many changes, and was periodically as interesting as Elizabeth's."

His answer was relatively simple and shocked me he disliked Henry VIII greatly, and would only write a book on his negatives, involving comments of courtiers, nobles, and ambassadors who disliked him greatly.

Ian was then kind enough to sign my copy of 'A Time Travellers Guide To Elizabethan England'. I can't wait to read it.

Rachel