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9:49 pm
February 18, 2012
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Hello everyone
I’ve been a member here for a few months now, but I haven’t introduced myself yet, so I thought this would be a good time! I’ve been fascinated by the Tudors for years, starting with reading everything I could on Elizabeth I, then Henry VIII, and in the last few years, Anne Boleyn – her story is so powerful and ultimately tragic. I love this site – I so admire Claire’s meticulous work and commitment to historical accuracy – finding out the truth, as far as we can ever know it – about Anne. I think it’s fantastic that there is a such a great site able to contradict some of the inaccurate historical assumptions about Anne (many of which I was taught in school!).
I wondered if anyone would share their opinion on the following. I have been fortunate enough to secure the part of Anne in one of the first amateur productions of Howard Brenton’s play Anne Boleyn. I am so very honoured and excited to have the opportunity to bring Anne to life on stage! (I think all my Anne-related reading (including Claire’s wonderful books) will come in handy here.) I was wondering what anyone thought were the most important aspects of Anne’s personality to try and bring out on stage? I’ve been thinking about a bit, and one of things I’m most keen to put across is the heartfelt and genuine nature of her love for Henry. I realise she must have been ambitious and strong-willed, but I believe her love for the King was genuine. Does anyone else have any ideas?
Thank you very much for any replies and for reading so far! 
Jxx
11:29 pm
April 11, 2011
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Hi Jane, as a male it’s a tad difficult for me to give you any advice regarding your portrayal of Anne. I will say that Anne’s love for Henry does seem to be a central part of Brenton’s play, therefore I would use the experience of love (and all the feelings that went with it) from any real life situations and project these into Anne’s character. I see you’ve got until 27th February to perfect your performance and as you’ve already played the part of a Duchess (Crown Matrimonial) I’m sure you’ll do fine! In many ways Anne was way ahead of her time, intelligent, strong-willed, independant and determined. Therefore, I would venture to suggest, that playing her in an almost contemporary manner would be both fitting and in keeping with the tone of the play.
Congratulations on getting this dream role and good luck with the production next year (should I say break a leg?).
10:32 pm
August 3, 2010
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Hello Jane!
First of all, welcome to the forum–hope you’re enjoying so far! 🙂 Congratulations on getting the part!! As an actress as well, I understand that it is very difficult to play a character, or in this case, a historical figure, you admire because you desire to do her justice. As you wish to display her true love for Henry as well as her personality, it might be interesting to explore onstage why her personality (and his) caused difficulty in their passionate love. In addition, I think “a woman before her time” is the ideal way to describe Anne, as Neil mentioned. If I were playing Anne in Brenton’s show, I might play a lot with strong facial expressions in order to exhibit the conflicting emotions that must have run through her head, her keen intelligence, and ambition.
I would love to chat more about this!!–How exciting!
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
4:29 pm
February 16, 2009
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Congratulations, Jane, that’s wonderful news! Like you, I believe that her love for Henry was genuine and not down to ambition. Personality traits in my opinion would be:
hot tempered and rash – doesn’t think before she speaks
stubborn
highly intelligent
art lover and lover of finery
honest
religious – a true faith which was very important to her
loving and faithful to those she loved
strong – able to stand up for herself
Hope that helps!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
11:35 pm
June 7, 2010
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Hello Jane and sorry for the late welcome. Congrats and good luck with bringing Anne to life. I concur with Claire about Anne’s personality traits. For me, Thomas Cromwell’s assessment of her is important to consider: intelligence, spirit and courage. Anne was such a complex person; I find it hard to settle on one definition of her!
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
