Southern actors star as the six wives of Henry VIII

“Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived”, so runs the phrase that helps us remember the fates of the six wives of Henry VIII. Throughout history the six fateful ladies have engendered much intrigue and interest, providing wonderful material for historians, filmmakers and novelists.

The wives have now been modernised by UK writers Rebecca Russell and Jenny Wafer in what will be a New Zealand premiere. The Regina Monologues will be performed as part of Southland’s May Arts Festival next week (Wednesday-Saturday, May 20-23) at Repertory House in Invercargill.

The play originally appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has had numerous seasons in the UK. Having seen it in Edinburgh, Venture Southland Creative Projects Manager, Angela Newell saw it as a perfect production for Southland and one worth including in the May Arts Festival.

“The play has terrific roles for six women, is funny and sad, appealing to a wide audience, whether they be theatre buffs or those interested in things historical. Russell and Wafer have cleverly used the rich and dynamic elements of the queens’ stories to create a wholly satisfying and entertaining piece of theatre. While it is fictional, the audiences will see parallels in the real historical figures. Above all it is a play about six ordinary women who all love (or try to love) the same man, the rich and powerful Henry.”

Local actors Debbie Parsons (Cathy), Lizzie Dawson (Annie), Emily Beale (Jane), Lyndal Ludlow (Anna), Anna Rae Watkins (Katie) and Newell herself (Katherine), have been working on the play for several weeks.

“Watching the show is a bit like having six soap operas on and you flash from one story to the other, seeing throughout the passage of time, how each woman is coping in her life with this unusual man.” The play uses humour and chat, storytelling and confidential confessions, allowing the audience to see the very private worlds of the Queens.

Regina Monologues runs from Wednesday May 20 to Saturday May 23 at 8.00pm each night.

Tickets are available from the Invercargill i-Site, $18 full, $15 concessions. There will be limited door sales each night subject to availability, from one hour prior to the show.