Anne Boleyn

Script By Howard Brenton

Based on the life of Anne Boleyn and King James I of England. Through color, modern details, and wicked humor this play tells the story of two unlikely monarchs separated by time, space, and political power; who face the same goal of answering Gods call for a Reformation.

Directed by Stephen Dimenna costume Design by Rebecca Gardner Assistant Costume Design by Emily Marx Photos by Dan Norman UNIVERSITY of Minnesota BFA Acting Program

Two Courts

Two Kings

One Woman Who Will Change Everything

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King Henry’s Court

King Henry’s Court is Traditional, Harsh, and Sharp.

I choose to use traditional Tudor Shapes but gave them a exaggerated modern twists.

I used Sinamay because of its course but translucent qualities.

I decorated the headpieces with oval brooches, tight Sinamay spirals, and sharp feathers to give a sinister feeling to the elite members of the court.

Character: Sloop
Material: Black Sinamay
Decorated with Oval Brooch and Coque Feathers. — Character: Sloop Material: Black Sinamay Decorated with Oval Brooch and Coque Feathers.

Character: Wolsey
Material: Red Sinamay — Character: Wolsey Material: Red Sinamay

Character: Anne's Ghost
Material: White Sinamay — Character: Anne's Ghost Material: White Sinamay

Character: Simpkin
Material: Black Sinamay
Decoration: Handmade Red Goose feather pad, Feather Thistles, and Sinamay Swirl. — Character: Simpkin Material: Black Sinamay Decoration: Handmade Red Goose feather pad, Feather Thistles, and Sinamay Swirl.

Character: Cromwell
Material: Black Sinamay
Decoration: Sinamay Swirls, Feather Branch, and Handmade Feather Thistles. — Character: Cromwell Material: Black Sinamay Decoration: Sinamay Swirls, Feather Branch, and Handmade Feather Thistles.

Character: King Henry
Material: Red Taffeta and Black Velvet
Decoration: Black Sinamay Swirl, Red Ostrich Feather ,and Black Brooch. — Character: King Henry Material: Red Taffeta and Black Velvet Decoration: Black Sinamay Swirl, Red Ostrich Feather ,and Black Brooch.

Character: Lady Claire
Material: Wire and Black Horsehair
Decoration: Embroidery and Gemstones — Character: Lady Claire Material: Wire and Black Horsehair Decoration: Embroidery and Gemstones

Character: Lady Anne Boleyn
Material: Wire and White Horsehair
Decoration: Red Lace — Character: Lady Anne Boleyn Material: Wire and White Horsehair Decoration: Red Lace

Character: Lady Celia
Materials: Wire and Black Horsehair
Decoration: Black Trim and Beads — Character: Lady Celia Materials: Wire and Black Horsehair Decoration: Black Trim and Beads

Character: Lady Beatrice
Material: Wire and Black Horsehair
Decoration: Red, Black, and White Beads — Character: Lady Beatrice Material: Wire and Black Horsehair Decoration: Red, Black, and White Beads

Character: Lady Rochford
Materials: Wire and Black Horsehair
Decoration: Black Lace and Jewels. — Character: Lady Rochford Materials: Wire and Black Horsehair Decoration: Black Lace and Jewels.

Character: Lady Jane Seymour
Material: Wire and Black Horsehair
Decoration: Red Ribbon, Black Beads, and Brooch. — Character: Lady Jane Seymour Material: Wire and Black Horsehair Decoration: Red Ribbon, Black Beads, and Brooch.

King James’ Court

King James’ Court is Unconventional, Soft, and Wispy

I choose to not use traditional Jacobean Shapes but instead went more modern with soft swirls to create a more natural floral or cloud like shape.

I used Horsehair and Tulle because it allowed me to be the soft kind of swirls that I wanted while also producing a buoyancy.

I choose to decorate the headpieces with sparks of gold tulle to show that King James style was gaudy and not quite elegant. The feather were all much droopier and softer. Some were even distressed to show the characters resentment to King.