Full casting announced for ANNE BOLEYN THE MUSICAL at Hever Castle
Full casting has been announced for the world premiere of Anne Boleyn the Musical, debuting this summer at Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home.
Directed by Roxana Silbert, with a book by Rebecca Night, and choreography by Alistair David, it will tell the captivating story of Anne Boleyn at the very place where her journey began.
Anne Boleyn the Musical will play in a specially constructed 1,800 seat outdoor auditorium in the grounds of Hever Castle from 2 – 30 August, and will be the UK’s first ever outdoor production featuring binaural sound, designed by the Ringham Brothers.
Emily Lane (Hello Dolly; Frozen, West End) will play Anne Boleyn, with Mark Goldthorp (A Christmas Carol, Old Vic; Sister Act, UK tour) as Henry VIII, Dona Atallah (Broken Wings) as Mary/Elizabeth I/Messenger, Noah Sinigaglia (Mamma Mia! The Party) as Queen Katherine/Margaret, Kim Ismay (Elf the Musical) as Joan, Joshua Oakes-Rogers (Madagascar the Musical) as George Boleyn, Matt Bond (Jerry Springer: The Opera) as Thomas Cromwell, Clive Hayward (Anything Goes) as Thomas Boleyn, Chomba S.Taulo (Pretty Woman the Musical) as Matthew Parker, and Rebecca Luter (Grease) and Jay Worley (Blood Brothers) complete the cast as swings.
12 year old Annabelle Jones and 13 year old Betsy Godden will share the role of Young Anne, and 11 year old Arthur Moffat and 14 year old Dawson Richards will share the role of Young George Boleyn.
The professional company of musical theatre performers will play alongside a 35-strong community cast from Kent who will act, dance and sing. The specially constructed 1,800 seat auditorium will sit in the stunning grounds of Hever with the castle visible in the background – it will be a key part of the set, with cast members entering and exiting from the castle itself.
Each audience member will have their own headset, through which they will be intimately connected to the action on stage, thanks to the stunning binaural sound design by The Ringham Brothers. The score – with lyrics by Rebecca Night & Sam Kenyon - will have original music composed by Sam Gevers and recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anne says farewell to her family and embarks on a life-changing journey to the royal courts of Flanders and France. Though her goodbyes are difficult, Anne’s adventure will shape not only her future but the future of England itself…
Anne Boleyn the Musical explores the transformation from a young girl leaving England, into a young woman who returns to Hever Castle, destined to attract a King. The rise and fall of their relationship forever altered the course of history.
Celebrated as one of history’s most intriguing and influential women, Anne's true nature, her ambitions, and her generosity will finally be revealed—within the very walls where her mind was shaped and her legacy forged.
Director Roxana Silbert said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be directing this epic show in the stunning surroundings of Hever Castle. Anne Boleyn has so often been portrayed as just a manipulative flirt. Rebecca has thrown new light on this brilliant, headstrong, charismatic woman who brought very radical and progressive ideas with her from Europe, drove social change, and ultimately laid the way for her daughter Elizabeth to become Queen.
“This is a thriller about women in power and an unexpected love story that led a woman to change the course of a nation's history.
“The gorgeous, orchestral music, the epic design and joyous choreography – are all are firmly rooted in historically accurate Tudor sensibility, but with a contemporary twist.”
Anne Boleyn the Musical is directed by Roxana Silbert, with choreography by Alistair David, musical supervision by Matthew Malone, set and costume design by Robert Innes-Hopkins, lighting by Michel Jacobs, and casting by Debbie O’Brien.
For more info on Anne Boleyn the Musical, please click here.