Suffolk/London: Anne Boleyn returns to Tower of London in new play staged by Red Rose Chain

Fallen in Love by Joanna Carrick. A Red Rose Chain theatre production (Image: Archant)

Fallen in Love, a play by writer-director Joanna Carrick, tells the story of Anne Boleyn’s close relationship with her brother George during her courtship and marriage to Henry VIII. George was also a leading figure at court.

The play was first staged in Ipswich last year, in the grounds of Gippeswyk Hall, Red Rose Chain’s Tudor headquarters, and will be remounted this summer with a new cast in London.

Joanna Carrick said she wrote the play to make Anne Boleyn a believable human being rather than an historical icon. She said it also highlighted the little-known story of Anne and George.

She said: “They were away from home, agents of their father’s ambition, and it was obvious they would fall back on each other for support.

“It’s a play of love, betrayal, jealousy and treason.”

Joanna believes perhaps history hasn’t always been kind to Anne, who was undoubtedly ambitious, but also young, naive and genuinely in love.

The play will be staged at the Tower of London in May and June, and will be re-staged at Gippeswyk Hall during the early summer.

Jim Malarkey, from the Tower, said: “The Tower is, of course, the place where Anne Boleyn spent her final days and her bones still rest there. Her love life was in part her downfall, presenting Henry VIII with a convenient and almost certainly contrived reason to persecute his Queen.”

Theatregoers can make it a special day out with entry tickets to the Tower or book for exclusive evening access when the crowds have departed.

The box office opens today. Further details of times and ticket prices can be found at www.redrosechain.com