OCTAVIUS THEATRE COMPANY

Henry’s End

The “gruesome comedy” that started it all!

“The passion the players had for the show and its characters was enshrined on full display.” – The Blackpool Gazette.

(Dan Wilson playing Henry VIII in Henry’s End at The Old Electric. Photo credit: Claire Griffiths.)

The Show:

Henry’s End was a completely original show originally written by company co-founder Luke Cheadle as a radio play for the Bruntwood Writing Prize that found new life in the arms of Octavius Theatre Company. One act of perfectly organised chaos, tragedy and comedy surrounding the deathbed of Henry VIII was the ideal show for Octavius to start out with. With a humble yet charming set mostly comprised of props borrowed from the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Henry’s End captivated a sell-out audience, making it one of the most successful shows to appear at The Old Electric in Blackpool. The Blackpool Gazette gave it a positive review dubbing it “a gruesome comedy with a heart of gold.” The show then travelled to Manchester and was seen at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation in October!

The Premise:

Set in 1547, the play begins with Henry VIII chastising his beleaguered Doctor and Groom of the Stool, who are a hapless comedic double act. In the background, the King’s Jester, Will Somers, watches and makes jibes causing Henry to respond. Yet, something is off…

(Pictured: Luke Berryman as Will Somers. Photo credit: Claire Griffiths)

As Henry’s servants discuss the King’s health and leave him to ruminate, Will begins to prod at the poorly tyrant’s conscience. As Henry argues back, the two begin to lament about what might have been. As the King stays in his stubborn ways, Will challenges Henry. He uses his performance skills to impersonate those his ruler had wronged… maybe so he can make amends? But Will’s motivations are unclear.

(Pictured: Emily Hobbs as Anne Boleyn, Luke Berryman as Will Somers and Dan Wilson as Henry VIII in Henry’s End. Photo credit: Claire Griffiths)

The impersonations become far too real for Henry to bear. They include his wives, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jayne Seymour as well as Thomas More, the King’s father Henry VII and even the King himself.

As the truth of these encounters overwhelms Henry he becomes enraged and vows to kill Somers… but in his state he is unable. He is deathly ill, unstable and delusional. Was Will even there in the first place?

(Pictured: Luke Berryman as Will Somers in Henry’s End. Photo credit: Claire Griffiths)

The gravity of these themes are punctuated by raucous comedy throughout, but the lamentable nature of a tyrant who did all he could to keep an iron grip on power eventually just to waste away like those he wronged was very striking for audiences and left a lasting impression.

(Pictured: Charlie Hindle as Katherine of Aragon in Henry’s End. Photo credit: Claire Griffiths.)

Full Credits:

  • Dan Wilson – HENRY VIII
  • Luke Berryman – WILL SOMERS
  • Charlie Hindle – KATHERINE OF ARAGON
  • Emily Hobbs – ANNE BOLEYN
  • Luke Cheadle – ANTHONY DENNY
  • Billie Hindle – DR THOMAS WENDY
  • Director – Billie Hindle
  • Producer – Billie Hindle
  • Assistant Director – Luke Cheadle
  • Playwright – Luke Cheadle
  • Technicians – Emily Hobbs, Billie Hindle, The Old Electric
  • Set Design – Emily Hobbs, Luke Cheadle, Billie Hindle
  • Costume Manager – Luke Chealde
  • Marketing Manager – Billie Hindle
  • Makeup Artists – Charlie Hindle, Emily Hobbs, Billie Hindle, Dan Wilson
  • Graphic Design – Billie Hindle
  • Photographers – Claire Griffiths, Billie Hindle
  • Composers – Kevin MacLeod, Billie Hindle
  • Special Thanks – Rebecca Allison, Jamie Humphrey, Alex Latimer, Daniel Bend, Aaron Edgar, The Castle Pub (Blackpool), The Blackpool Tower, Merlin Entertainments, Wes Homes, The Blackpool Gazette, Kieron Moore, Weird Rainbow Films, The Old Electric, The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Central Library Manchester, Sainsbury’s Blackpool North, Ian Carrington, Melanie Whitehead.