Notes From Row H

Theatre Review – Hever Castle

Performed in a purpose-built outdoor auditorium in the grounds of Hever Castle, Kent, this new musical is centred around Anne Boleyn’s life and her rise in the Tudor court. It is told by Anne herself, which gives the show an extra layer of personality.

No matter if you know your Tudor history like the back of your hand, or if you are at the ‘Divorced, Beheaded, Died’ stage, this show has something for everyone. From stunning vocals to the immersive incorporation of the actual Castle and its grounds into the narrative, this has all the makings of a show that could be (and hopefully will be) on the West End or on tour in the future. In particular, Emily Lane shines as Anne Boleyn and her talent is mirrored in Mark Goldthorp, who plays Henry VIII. The vocals of Joshua Oakes-Rogers and Kim Ismay (as George Boleyn and Joan, respectively) are also phenomenal.

The talent on display on the stage is only half the reason why this musical is so special: the other half is the setting itself – it is almost like another character. Throughout the show, you could see horses galloping through the grounds behind the stage, maypoles, people running, and projections onto the castle. This is what makes this show so unique.

It was my first time seeing an open-air theatre show, so even though it became clear that headphones were essential (due to the size of the auditorium and the fact that it was outside), it was a bit bothersome at first. It would have been beneficial to have been told beforehand about the use of headphones, so it would not have been much of a shock. That being said, it was very needed and they did not take away from the performance: if anything, they aided it because the full vocal talent of this cast was able to be appreciated.

The musical is written by Rebecca Night (Fanny Hill, and as a producer, Legacy and The Two Week Wait) and Sam Kenyon (Swallows & Amazons, A Midsummer Night’s Dream). They are supported by the set and costumes, which are designed by Robert Innes-Hopkins. The show is produced by Belgian-based Historalia Productions, and Anne Boleyn: The Musical marks their first-ever UK production.

Written by Helena Featherstone