☆★★★★
Travelling
home from seeing Katheryn Howard at Islington's Hope Theatre, I was engaged in
a surprising conversation with a couple of young people about the programme I
was reading. Explaining it was about a wife of Henry VIII's, they quickly
opined, ‘his wives are sick!'
Thankfully
understanding today's vernacular, it was only moments before they were
enthusing about the now-global phenomenon and international hit musical that is
Six. Sadly they got off the tube before we could talk further but were clearly
well-informed about Henry's wives. It is incredible to think how most people
may struggle to name them but now, with an infectious musical track in the
background, not only is there a generation that can call them but positively
revel in their ultimate fate!
So with that
hilarious episode in my mind and memories of the ‘history remix' buzzing in my
head, we return to Catherine Hiscox's 80-minute play about Katheryn Howard,
Henry VIII's fifth wife, her short life and ultimate fate.
Expanded
from a short monologue that first appeared at a new writing night at The
Pleasance, Hiscock has taken Howard's chronicle as an ‘untold story' of women
from history and developed this full-length production.
Unashamedly
quoting the synopsis, ‘Set against the shallow and oppressive world of the
Tudor court, an all-female cast retells the story of seventeen-year-old
Katheryn Howard, fifth wife of King Henry VIII, in this poignant examination of
power, truth and blame.
‘Locked
within her rooms, while men investigate their conduct, the young Queen and her
ladies await the interrogations they know will come.' Howard is a young woman
on trial, and clearly, it is not going to end well!
Writer,
Catherine Hiscock leads the five-strong ensemble as the titular Katheryn
Howard, with a narrative that manages to convey, without longeur, the detail
and nuance of life in Tudor court. Cleverly fulfilling the role of a chorus,
Francesca Anderson, Natalie Harper, Emmanuela Lia and Srabani Sen drive the
narrative, while maintaining a fascinating rapport with the audience. The final
days of the Queen became to be anticipated. Still, the interaction with Howard
and her courtiers cleverly captured the fraught inevitability of an ultimately
frail, tortured and damaged life.
Alex
Pearson's taut direction capitalises on Hiscock's smart, insightful writing and
tight, perceptive performances from an ensemble on top form. No rousing chorus
number at the end but equally enriching!
Katheryn
Howard is produced by Goosebite Theatre and is playing at The Hope
Theatre until 16 November 2019
Tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/gTUZKbYEzAXC
Tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/gTUZKbYEzAXC
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