Anne Boleyn musical set for her childhood home

A black and white head and shoulders portrait of a young Anne BoleynImage source, Photos.com
Image caption,

Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife, was beheaded in 1536

  • Published

Open auditions are under way for the world premiere of a musical about Anne Boleyn which will be performed at her childhood home.

Henry VIII's second wife, who was beheaded in 1536, grew up at Hever Castle in Kent.

The musical will be staged at a specially-constructed 1,800 seat outdoor auditorium lawn outside the castle from 2 to 30 August.

Auditions for up to 60 child and adult amateur actors, singers and dancers start at the Bat and Ball Station Booking Hall in Sevenoaks on Saturday.

The auditions continue at Bat and Ball on Thursday and end at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on 6 April.

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.

An exterior shot of the front of Hever Castle with red and white flowers in the foregroundImage source, Hever Castle
Image caption,

Anne Boleyn: The Musical will be staged at Hever Castle in August

Lydia Scott Johnson, associate director, said it was "an incredibly exciting opportunity" to become involved in "a one-of-a-kind new musical".

She said: "Having grown up in Kent, visited Hever Castle throughout my life and worked extensively with community theatre in the area, I'm very excited to be a part of this production and to help create this amazing opportunity for local people."

Eliane Astor-de Merode, director of production company Historalia UK, who is also the future Lady Astor of Hever, said: "Hever Castle will provide an unmatched historical backdrop for this unforgettable musical."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.