Ava Pickett’s play is one of the must-see plays in London at the moment.
(c)Helen Murray
This is certainly one of the most powerful and devastating plays that I have managed to catch on stage this year. A story that while set in 1536, highlights many of the issues still relevant to society today including misinformation, chauvinistic behaviour and violence towards women.
As the title says, the show is set in 1536 – time of great change in England, particularly when rumours from the court of Henry VIII and the breakdown of his marriage to Anne Boleyn spread to a quiet village in which friends Jane, Anna and Mariella live. While initially they debate as to whether the news they hear is true, the play soon darkens to affect not only the relationships with the men in their lives but the very fabric of their friendship and outlook in life.
Directed wit great tautness by Lyndsey Turner, Ava Pickett has created a truly compelling and thought provoking play that draws the audience in gradually as relationships are pulled from one direction to the next.
Set in a marshy field that has been gorgeously designed by Max Jones, the lighting designed by Jack Knowles is particularly powerful and important as the play changes in tone and becomes increasingly dark as each of the women realise the implications of Henry VIII’s suspicions of Anne Boleyn have more of an impact on their lives than they originally thought. The use of deepening colour in the background enhances the ominous nature of the play as it delves deeper into relationships and the danger of the world in which the women are living in – particularly when the men of the village begin to say that Anne Boleyn gets what she deserves.
Watching this story unfold, it is hard not to make comparisons to 2026 – with many examples of misogyny and domestic violence still making headlines in the news, which means that on leaving this show questioning why this behaviour and attitude towards women is still happening to this day. In fact Anna asks a very pertinent question ‘will it always be like this?’ – let’s truly hope not.
The cast are all on the top of their game. Siena Kelly as Anna is bold, brash and determined to make her own way in the world. Her character is really ahead of her time, but this really packs a powerful punch when she realises her confidence is putting her in serious danger and turns her friends against her. Kelly brings out different aspects to the character to full effect.
Liv Hill is compelling to watch as Jane who thinks that conforming to society expectations will protect her but realising to devastating effect that no matter what she does it is never enough. It is an increasingly intense and raw performance that is compelling to witness unfold
Meanwhile, Tanya Reynolds as Mariella is the character who tries to hold the friendship together as much as possible until the realisation the power for survival in an impossible situation changes her perspective. It is heartbreaking to watch as she struggles in many ways to move forward in life.
Oliver Johnstone as Richard and George Kemp as William perfectly embody just how male attitudes changed as the year 1536 went on – both to chilling effect in completely different ways.
Perhaps there are some moments that feel overly dramatic that take the audience out of the story for a few minutes., but the rawness and the way in which the story has been constructed is hard to resist.
Overall, 1536 is a play that is well worth catching – it is a worthy reminder that history can still teach us a lot about the modern world that we live in. Powerful, moving and compelling to watch from start to finish.
1536 continues to play at the Ambassadors Theatre until the 1st August. To book tickets click here.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️