Historical drama 1536 is coming to the West End, transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre in May 2026 after a run at the Almeida Theatre.
Directed by Lyndsey Turner, Ava Pickett’s first play explores the dynamics of female friendship in a world stacked against women.
Kings don’t kill their wives, right?
Tudor England. A field in Essex. Three women hurry to their childhood meeting place, thirsty for gossip from London. Word spreads of a clash between King Henry VIII and his Queen, Anne Boleyn. And closer to home, another rumour begins to catch fire.
As these women begin to see echoes of the royal drama in their own rural lives, a tide of violence threatens their very existence, and they realise the royal scandal could cost them everything.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Max Jones, lighting designer Jack Knowles, sound designer Tingying Dong, movement and intimacy director Anna Morrissey, composer and arranger Will Stuart and casting director Amy Ball.
1536 is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Annapurna Theatre and the Almeida Theatre.
It will run at the Ambassadors Theatre from May 2 – August 1, 2026. More details here.
Top image: 1536 artwork (image supplied)