Shakespeare's Kings & Queens
From Medieval to Stuart England, we take a look at the monarchs who have graced our stages in the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II was powerfully portrayed in a new production exploring the King’s sexuality in 2018, with Tom Stuart in the titular role. Photographer: Marc Brenner
We staged Richard II for the first time indoors in 2019, with an all women of colour company led by Adjoa Andoh. Photographer: Ingrid Pollard
Sarah Amankwah and Philip Arditti featured as part of the Globe Ensemble as father and son in our 2019 Henry IV Part 2. Photographer: Tristram Kenton
Our opening performance of Henry V in the Globe Theatre 25 years ago featured our former Artistic Director Mark Rylance in the title role.
Shakespeare’s epic cycle of history plays, Henry VI and Richard III, were tackled by our Globe Ensemble taking on over 60 characters in our Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, including Margaret of Anjou… Photographer: Marc Brenner
…and the three sons of York, George Clarence, Edward IV and Richard of Gloucester. Photographer: Marc Brenner
In 2003 Kathryn Hunter took on the villainous Richard III in an all-female production. Photographer: Donald Cooper
In 2010 we staged Henry VIII for the first time, with Anthony Howell as the King… Photographer: Manuel Harlan
…this year, Adam Gillen takes to the role in a reimagined version of Shakespeare & Fletcher’s History play. Photographer: Marc Brenner
Our stages have also seen many of Henry’s wives, with Bea Segura as Queen Katharine (plus ghosts of his other five wives…). Photographer: Marc Brenner
…and Miranda Raison as Anne Boleyn, in a new play by Howard Brenton. Photographer: Manual Harlan
Elizabeth I has made an appearance frequently in our theatres, both at our opening in 1997, where Jane Lapotaire rode into the Yard on horseback…
…in 2019 in our candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in a new play Swive [Elizabeth]… Photographer: Johan Persson
…and this year, Elizabeth speaks the Epilogue in our current production of Henry VIII. Photographer: Marc Brenner
Head of Shakespeare’s acting company, the King’s Men, James I of England and IV of Scotland made an appearance in Brenton’s aforementioned Anne Boleyn in 2010. Photographer: Manuel Harlan
Charles II (plus his loveable spaniels) graced us with his presence in Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale. Photographer: Tristram Kenton
…and finally, Her Majesty The Queen attended the opening of Shakespeare’s Globe, 12 June 1997. Photographer Richard Kalina
