Horses, Headphones and Hever: Anne Boleyn Rides Again

Anne Boleyn The Musical | Hever Castle, Kent (only until 30th August)

‘History with horses, headphones and a happy ending – sort of!’

Stepping into Hever Castle’s purpose-built open-air theatre on a warm August evening feels like walking straight into the past. The venue itself, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, is the production’s grandest set piece, ivy-clad walls and all, with real horses adding flourish. I’ll admit I was hesitant: I’m no fan of outdoor theatre as cold breezes, rain and actors shouting into the night are not my idea of fun. However, technology saves the day. As I settled in with something fizzy, we were handed wireless headphones. The cast wore discreet radio microphones and the sound was crystal clear; no more bellowing across the lawn. Under a covered auditorium no one got wet if the weather turned, while the castle’s spires glowed behind the stage. It felt like a pageant. Anne herself appeared at one end of the field and strode towards us, later joined by riders on horseback. As I joked on the night: the best scenery is the real thing.

The musical charts Anne Boleyn’s story from youth to downfall. As played, with verve, by Emily Lane, she is clever and kind – a heroine trapped by royal politics rather than a pampered villain. Sensibly, the narrative jumps forward to Elizabeth I, linking mother and daughter and giving the evening a hopeful close. The songs are light, pop-inflected numbers rather than sweeping showstoppers; you won’t mistake the score for Hamilton. The lyrics are catchy and mostly plain-spoken, with the odd eyebrow-raising anachronism, someone quotes ‘therein lies the rub’ long before Shakespeare was writing.

For those needing a refresher, Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second wife and Queen of England from 1533 until her execution in 1536. Her marriage helped trigger England’s break with Rome. She was the mother of Elizabeth I, whom she never saw crowned. Anne grew up at Hever and changed history, but died young, tried on dubious charges of treason and executed at the king’s command.

Dramatically, the tone shift is curious. In Act One the musical presents Anne as ambitious and scheming; by Act Two she has become the expected tragic, even martyred, figure of the Reformation. The gear change is abrupt.

This brand-new production comes from Historalia, a company specialising in large-scale shows in historic settings. Effectively a world premiere, it’s directed by Roxana Silbert with music and lyrics by Sam Gevers, Rebecca Night and Sam Kenyon. The score, recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, has a full, cinematic sweep that flatters the outdoor setting.

In the end, Anne Boleyn: The Musical is a visual spectacle, best enjoyed without listening too closely to some of the clunkier lines (someone even ‘thinks outside the box’). The acting is energetic, the horses thrilling, and the castle unbeatable as a backdrop. The songs may not be instant classics, but this is a lively night under the stars rather than a history lesson.

History meets headphones at Hever Castle: a pop-pageant with real horses, a glowing castle and a memorable evening, if not a classic musical.

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