To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne this year, Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that looks after Hampton Court Palace, has commissioned two plays inspired by the Tudor monarch to take place at his famous Royal residence.

The first play, A Little Neck, has been written specifically for the historic venue.

It focuses on the relationship between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn from January to May 1536, and looks at the role of medicine in the 1,000 day Queen’s downfall - centring on her second miscarriage and the ensuing political and personal fallout.

The second play is a restaging of John Heywood’s The Play of the Weather, which was commissioned by Henry VIII. Heywood was born in London in about 1497 and later fled to Europe to escape persecution for his Catholic faith. He was also the grandfather of the famous metaphysical poet John Donne.

Both works look at two different aspects of Henry VIII’s reign and will make use of Hampton Court Palace’s historic rooms and surroundings, as well as immersing the audience in the action.

Tom Betteridge, professor of early modern English literature and drama at Oxford Brookes University and theatrical adviser to Historic Royal Palaces, said: “These two plays are not just about commemorating a significant moment in history but about making Hampton Court’s stories and history accessible to the general public.

“Henry VIII’s court itself was a place of performance and drama and these two meticulously researched plays offer not only clever entertainment but also a radical slice of public history.”

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