Shakespeare Globe

Anne Boleyn

A new play by Howard Brenton

PRODUCTION NOW CLOSED

**** 'Takes the tame conventions of historical drama and hurls them in the privy... Argues for Anne’s story to be read not as textbook tragedy but as something far more uplifting... John Dove’s ebullient, zesty production... Switches between arch politicking and Blackadder-ish flourishes with equal aplomb... Miranda Raison’s radiant, intelligent, beautiful Anne' Daily Telegraph Full review »

**** 'Challenges received wisdom and bulges with theatrical vitality... Miranda Raison creates a rivetingly plausible Anne more concerned with evangelical zeal than missionary positions. And there is fine support from James Garnon as a gay, twitching, scholarly James I, Anthony Howell as a lean, impulsive Henry VIII and John Dougall as a Thomas Cromwell who is both prince of darkness and closet Protestant' Guardian Full review »

**** 'Rich, sprightly and unfailingly vivid, Howard Brenton's lively new drama illuminates the Globe... Full of ribald comedy and is robustly modern... John Dove's exuberant production' Time Out

**** 'Miranda Raison's engaging Boleyn... I enjoyed it a lot' The Times

**** 'It takes a big, generous spirit to fill the Globe, and in this Brenton follows Shakespeare... Raison's Anne lights up the stage as a feisty modern girly... Stealing the show is James Garnon as the later James I, who rehabilitates Anne's legacy... John Dove's elegant production is rich, invigorating, historical drama' Daily Mail

**** 'Brenton's inventive new play... The Globe is a brilliant forum for intellectual debate provided it is leavened with irreverent humour... Rich, quirky evocation of period and animated mix of fervent seriousness and strip-cartoon fun' The Independent

**** 'Blends serious concerns with generous dollops of course humour' The Sunday Times

**** The evening belongs to Anne, played here with elfin, beautific charm by Miranda Raison' Metro

**** 'The journey is a compelling one' Financial Times

***** 'Clever, funny, beautifully acted. Don't miss it' News of the World

Anne Boleyn celebrates the life and legacy of a great English heroine - traditionally seen as either the beautiful and virtuous victim of a tyrant husband, or as an ambitious and ruthless reformist manipulating her way into power.

But Brenton puts a very different Anne - and her ghost - on the Globe stage. Witty, flirtatious and confident, she’s in love with Henry but also with the most dangerous ideas of her day. Conspiring with the exiled William Tyndale, Anne plots to produce a Bible that everyone can read - a translation that will permit her marriage to Henry, haunt her daughter's successor, and transform Britain forever.

Miranda Raison stars as Anne Boleyn. She is best known for her role as Jo Portman in the BBC's hit drama Spooks and most recently as Abbey in ITV's Married Single Other.

Award-winning playwright Howard Brenton's previous work includes In Extremis at Shakespeare's Globe (2006 and 2007).

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