๐๐๐๐๐๐!
๐๐ง๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐ง ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ
'๐๐ฐ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ฅ๐บ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ, ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฆ'
From the moment this musical was announced, I knew I had to see it. Tudor history and musical theatre is a perfect combination for meโbut would this show be as rich and detailed as a Holbein portrait?
The setting alone is a show-stealer: Hever Castle in Kent, famously Anne Boleynโs childhood home. The castle and its grounds provide a stunning and atmospheric backdrop. I later learned that actual interiors were used in the staging, adding even more authenticity to the experience. What I additionally admired was that this set wasn't simply limited to the stage but that the grounds were used to create an immensely vast space.
As Anne Boleyn, Emily Lane delivers a captivating performanceโgraceful, intelligent, and heartfelt. Her vocals are excellent, and she brings a more sympathetic portrayal of Anne than history often allows. The story is very much told from Anneโs perspective, a welcome change from the usual narrative.
Mark Goldthorpe plays Henry VIII with charm and menace, capturing the Kingโs early charisma and later frustration as the story darkens in Act II.
Of course, telling the story of Anne Boleynโs dramatic life in a single musical is ambitious. While some musical numbers stood outโespecially Laneโs emotional ballad You, sung to Princess Elizabethโthere were moments where I wished for more nuance and detail. In some ways, it might have worked equally well as a play.
Still, minor flaws aside, thereโs something magical about watching this story unfold in a place so deeply tied to its heroine. As a summer theatrical experience, this production is immersive, moving, and has plenty of potential to grow.
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