Anne Boleyn, one of the most controversial female figures in English history, makes a powerful return to the stage through Howard Brenton’s pen. The play focuses not only on Anne’s passionate and destructive relationship with Henry VIII, but also on her influence on religious reforms and her political acumen. Here, Anne is not merely a victim; she is the intellectual bearer of the Protestant Reformation, a woman who fought for her beliefs.

The play unfolds in two timelines; Anne, returning to the stage as a ghost after her death, recounts her story and the legacy she left behind, while in later scenes, the past is revived as James I, newly ascended to the throne, searches for an old book belonging to Anne that he accidentally finds in the royal palace. James attempts to establish religious balance in England while simultaneously trying to understand Anne’s ideals and true intentions.

Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton is a contemporary play that reinterprets the life of one of England’s most controversial historical figures. The work explores themes of power, identity and political manipulation within a modern theatrical language.
This production, directed by Adonis Filipi, was staged at Ankara State Theatre, bringing a visually driven and movement-based approach to the narrative.