Henry VIII
Henry VIII
See the story of Henry VIII from a female perspective as Shakespeare’s exploration of love, lineage and power, co-written with John Fletcher, unfolds in the Globe Theatre this Summer.
You know the story: a King who turns his country upside down to try and secure a male heir. But it’s never been told this way before…
A Queen fights for justice. A Lady provokes reformation. But in the absence of a son, can a Princess change the future?
Amy Hodge (Women Beware Women, Globe) directs this production which sees the Globe’s 2022 Resident Writer Hannah Khalil (A Museum in Baghdad) become Shakespeare and Fletcher’s third collaborator.
'Who knows yet
But from this Lady may proceed a gem
To lighten all this isle'
(Act II, scene 3)
- Booking Information
All performances will be played at full capacity. The yard will be standing tickets. They ask audience to wear mask and ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative lateral flow test.
- Good To Know
All performances will be played at full capacity. The yard will be standing tickets. They ask audience to wear mask and ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative lateral flow test.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Access Information
For more information regarding accessibility, please click here.
- Cancellation Policy
1. If you test positive for COVID-19, display symptoms, or are asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace you can exchange your tickets.
2. If the show is cancelled due to COVID-19 or any other reason, you will be offered a free exchange or refund.
3. If the show is going ahead and you are able to attend, there will be no exchange or refund available.- Suitable For Children
Content guidance: This production contains overt sexual content, an on-stage depiction of an execution, and an on-stage depiction of childbirth. There are also latex balloons, sudden loud noises, and use of stage blood and a gun.
- Where Do I Go
Shakespeare’s Globe
21 New Globe Walk
Bankside
London
SE1 9DT
Reviews
Adam
Oct 7, 2022
Surreal being inside the Globe. Henry VIII was a great show
Benjamin Davis
Oct 5, 2022
This was a rollicking, fun, exuberant reimagining of a rackety, uneven play. The feminist focus and irreverent style suited it perfectly. The company was marvellous - particular mention to Jamie Ballard and the spectacular Bea Segura, who were the emotional heart of the piece. Fabulous.
Mrs Marion Bollans
Sep 29, 2022
The first time EVER that I have left The Globe, or any other Shakespeare performance, at the interval and not returned. Of course I do not always expect a "traditional" version of any play, but this performance was initially very difficult to understand. The dialogue was mumbled and confusing. However, the very worst part was the introduction of an enormous inflated penis and simulated masturbation resulting in an explosion of confetti - what on earth was that about. Absolutely disgusting.
Chloe smith
Sep 21, 2022
Awful the Globe seem to be messing about with their performances and it's detracting from Shakespeare's work..the giant phallic inflatable wasn't necessary and I am finding that with all this over load of fishnets ( and no I am not a prude far from it ) that the exquisite words of Shakespeare's are going in noticed...I have seen numerous plays this summer and left half way through...I certainly will not be going back soon until they get back to where they used to be
Jacqueline
Sep 17, 2022
I thought it was dreadful and left in the interval.
Mary Hubbard
Sep 17, 2022
We went with a group of four of us. We really liked the music. The musicians were wonderful. The actors were very good. We did not expect it to be so funny. We were expecting a more traditional Shakespeare. I went with a copy o the play to follow. That was almost worthless. But we still enjoyed it and had a good time.
Mary Wells
Sep 17, 2022
First visit to The Globe . I enjoyed the setting but was unable to hear a few of the cast when they moved around the set . It was unfortunate the Queen needed notes .
Carol
Sep 16, 2022
I love visiting the globe and Henry VIII was engaging with just enough of a laugh and I love the interaction. All the actors were really great
Mark Heighton
Sep 13, 2022
Complete rubbish. Worst thing I have ever seen at The Globe by a long way.
Graham
Sep 13, 2022
Not seen this before so was great to experience it. Many powerful performances, especially the portrayal of Cardinal Wolsey, which was stunning!!!
Karen
Aug 7, 2022
Best Shakespeare play, both in script and performance, I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen quite a few.
Thomas Cromwell
Aug 7, 2022
Entertaining, funny , enjoyable as time went on. Queen Katherine and Cardinal Wolsey were excellent, I didn’t realise Henry VIII was from from Benidorm!
carolvanlint786@gmail.com
Aug 7, 2022
What wonderful play had good time and that Cast that sing my book afterwards
Marco
Aug 7, 2022
Without Cardinal Wolsey (Jamie Ballard) this would have been very ordinary. Henry rushes his words and many of the cast need to learn how to project. Would I go again yes, would I drink in The Swan ? Absolutely not. Over priced and poor service. Overall experience though was good. £5.00 to hire a cushion !, extortionate.
Jackie
Jul 29, 2022
Great show in a beautiful venue. Get there early as gift shop has many unique and beautiful items with Shakespeare quotes.
Laura
Jul 26, 2022
Just superb!
LLJ
Jul 10, 2022
Why aren't our young actors trained to speak Shakespeare any more? Because the result is hideous - as witnesed in the performance of Henry VIII I saw on Tuesday night. Shouting is not Shakespeare (even when the Shakespeare is watered down like this). Adam Gillen as the King is unwatchable; his 'quirky' cadences and strange delivery fails to impress. I saw him in Amadeus and thought he was outstanding but now I understand that his whacky Mozart is his go-to character. Certainly his Henry VIII was 90 percent Mozart. Jane Etuck failed to communicate the ambitiousness of Anne Bullen and the only, I repeat, ONLY thing worthwhile in the whole production was Bea Segura as Queen Katherine. Without her intelligent, poignant, dignified, funny, well-crafted performance this show would sink without trace.
John Mansfield
Jul 10, 2022
very good all round Ann Bolyen and Queen Katherine very good
Angela O'Hara
Jul 9, 2022
Despite an intolerably hot afternoon - the play was magnificent! Brilliant envisioning of the account - so modern and relevant ! Loved it!
AliCaggs
Jul 8, 2022
So, so entertaining. The poor actors struggled through the security/ press helicopter but we could read on the well thought out text screens.
Boris
Jul 6, 2022
The performance was very good with shortages which I don’t like.
John Meunier of Phoenix and Cambridge
Jul 6, 2022
The back-up actor, although strangely attired for a spoiled brat king, did well, even mocking the written text he needed, with his commanding presence and resounding voice, but the two discarded partners, Catherine and Woolsey were the stars giving voice to their senses of unjustified rejection. Plus c'a change for those of us recently from across the Atlantic. A typically vigorous, even outrageous, performance fulfilling our expectations of Global performances.
Hannah
Jul 6, 2022
Great performance, history, humour, blended well. Great use of wonderful setting Interaction with audience exceptional.
DJ
Jul 6, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's matinee performance of Henry VIII This play was new to me. so very interesting, but I also enjoyed the modern twist and the strong female characters and performances
Alison Churchill
Jul 6, 2022
Felt like I was back in time! Actors were exceptional!
Lee Hutchinson
Jul 5, 2022
This was first time to Globe. Was an experience. The cast were marvellous. Some scenes weren’t suitable for children
Hannah
Jul 5, 2022
Fantastic funny and clever production
Jane
Jul 1, 2022
I loved this production. The cast were all charismatic, particularly the actor playing King Henry (even though he was the “understudy”). The actor who played Cardinal Wolsey was fantastic, he even cried on stage, I’ve never seen an actor do that live. The staging , music & costumes were spot on. I saw the play twice while on holiday in London, if I lived closer, I’d go again.
Lucy
Jun 30, 2022
Haven’t been to the globe for years-had forgotten how magical Shakespeare in its most original form (with a modern twist) could be. Bea Segura as Catherine of Aragon was exceptional-her light shone from the stage all evening. Echo-performing as a stand in Henry VII- what an amazing actor how is, had the audience in the palm of his hand. Excellent production. Very pleasantly surprised.
Juliana Venter
Jun 28, 2022
It was one of the worst productions I have ever seen. The costumes where meaningless, cheap , no texture, no layers, left nothing for one the feel as if you were in a world for of mysteries and possibilities. Some actors had talent but lacked life experience to complete the task. There was little to no depth in their performance . The music was childish and embarrassing. We left after 45 minutes because the music was torture. If one had read Peter Brooks the empty space , this is clearly a dead space, dead theatre. You patronize and underestimate your audience. By that you destroy centuries of craftsmanship. The focus on gender is nauseating. As a woman I find it offensive that everything female is now sublime and raised above all. We are people like everyone else. I am for equal rights but not equal rights at the cost of quality. Not matter gender or race it should always be about quality. This production had none. And I would ask for my money back if I could. Juliana Venter Singer, composer , actress, activist.
Nik Taylor
Jun 25, 2022
What an amazing location in which to watch live theatre. A splendid production in a fantastic theatre with great actors and staff alike. All in all a great afternoon.
Svitlana Yatskova
Jun 23, 2022
It was a fantastic, marvellous, spectacular performance. Everything was great, but I want to highlight a beautiful lady, she is a main vocalist, her voice is so powerful. Highly recommend!
Elizabeth Bate
Jun 17, 2022
WOW!!! I’m so glad I put this on the top of my “to do” list for my London visit. Even with a substitute (she was brilliant) Henry VIII I have no complaints. Been recommending it.
H.S.
Jun 14, 2022
Thanks for a lovely evening, being there made me realize how Shakespeares plays really „work“. Great actors especially Lady Cathrine was superb.
Tony (NYC)
Jun 14, 2022
This is such a rarely staged play that I was looking forward to seeing it. Unfortunately, it is severely cut and spliced with lines from other plays and sonnets. The aim is to show that women at the Tudor court were victims of patriarchy. Duh! At the performance I saw, the actor playing Henry was indisposed and so someone else read his lines script in hand greatly diminishing the play.
Natalie
Jun 14, 2022
This is a Shakespeare play I'd never heard of, and it turns out that's because it's a bit of a mess so very rarely staged (it's also the play that caused the original Globe to burn down in 1613 due to malfunctioning cannon!). This is a revised version, with songs and more input from the female characters, so not for the Shakespeare purists. The cast and musicians are great. It's not perfect, but a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
Elizabeth
Jun 5, 2022
I enjoyed this presentation in the beautiful Globe in summer. Actors were clearly experienced and communicated their story well. Standing in front of the stage felt like being in the middle of the action.
GWK
Jun 2, 2022
I will say that the actors were good, the lady playing Catherine of Aragon was outstanding. But I picked Henry VIII because I thought it was traditional with traditional costumes and it wasn’t. I certainly love Shakespeare and know it can be very bawdy but I felt one scene particularly unnecessary. In parts it felt like I was watching a musical!! which to my knowledge Shakespeare hadn’t written. It was on my bucket list to see a live production at the Globe and although the parts which were preformed in a traditional manner were outstanding, I felt a little disappointed.
Lynn Sparks
Jun 1, 2022
Absolutely amazing!!
Tina Watson
Jun 1, 2022
Went for my daughter 30th birthday. What a fantastic performance. Was brilliant day. We will definitely come back again. Well done everyone.
MBesley
May 31, 2022
Show was really funny and modernised. Recommend getting standing tickets - actors come into the crowd and interact with the audience!
Johanne M
May 26, 2022
I enjoyed very much! The comedians were very good!! The decor and costumes perfect!
Angry Octavia
May 25, 2022
Modern adaptations of Shakespeare are testing at the best of times, however, if you throw in an off key musical element, ghastly costumes, juvenile jokes and painful acting... you will have the car crash that is 'Henry VIII' at the Globe. The perforamce would've benefited from sticking to the original script - melding in lines from Hamlet and King Lear was clownishly chaotic and nonsensical. Not. A. Fan.
Jlovetheatre
May 22, 2022
I had never seen or read the Henry VIII play before. Very enjoyable, modern production which kept the audience on tenter hooks throughout. Wonderful to see this at the Globe this unique, wonderful venue, the actors and chorus coming in and out of the standing area was fun and absorbing. Thank you
M E Henchy
May 21, 2022
Sadly the three of us, keen admirers of all things Shakespeare, found it puerile. The humour was too childish to be funny. Audibility was also a problem, not something I have struggled with before at The Globe. We chose Henry V11 because it is a play rarely performed, so we embraced the opportunity, but I'm afraid we left at the interval.