Henry VIII: 10 Fun Facts

This rarely-performed play of Shakespeare’s welcomes our season’s first audience on June 17. Before sitting down in our open-air Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre and enjoying a night of theater under the stars, here are some facts to get you excited about the production.

1. This play has been produced only twice at the Festival in its 63 year history. It was last produced nearly thirty years ago, in 1995, and 1974 before that. For our loyal patrons trying to “complete the cannon” by seeing every Shakespeare production, now is your chance!

2. This is said to be a collaborative play. William Shakespeare wrote the play with John Fletcher, a successful English playwright for the Jacobean theater. Scholars observe that Fletcher’s role was probably small, as Shakespeare’s language is consistent throughout the play.

3. Henry VIII was almost called All is True, as recorded in contemporary documents.

   

4. The king during Shakespeare’s day, James I, was a direct descendent of the royal family in Henry VIII.

5. It was said that during the first production presented at the Globe Theatre in 1613, a cannon set the thatched roof on fire and burned the playhouse to the ground. No people were harmed but it was said that one man’s pants that caught fire were put out using a bottle of ale.

6. Although lesser-known to us, Henry VIII was often staged in England, performed as part of the festivities during a royal marriage. In 1953, it was staged for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

7. Henry VIII famously had six wives in total, and his marriage to Anne Boleyn (spelled “Bullen” in the play) began the establishment of the Church of England.

8. Queen Katherine of Aragon was actually married to Henry VIII’s brother prior to marrying Henry, and she and Henry were married for 24 years before he divorced her to marry Anne Boleyn.

   

9. The play covers 24 years of history––a massive feat––though it compresses the events as occurring over the course of only a year.

10. The play is being directed by the Festival’s very own Director of New Plays, Derek Charles Livingston. Livingston also directed last season’s A Raisin in the Sun.

It’s not too early to purchase tickets! Visit here to purchase tickets and for more information about the play. Don’t miss out on our study guide, where you can find a synopsis, character summaries, and several articles on the play.