FRINGE THEATER/ THE QUEENS ARE BACK!

The Regina Monologues (or “Queen” Monologues) returns to the Parish Hall at St Paul for a limited second run, February 1-3, after its original run sold out! This play, presented by Fringe Theater and written by Rebecca Russell and Jenny Wafer, gives a  modern twist to the stories of the wives of King Henry VIII.

“We were delighted with the audience’s response to the piece,” said board president Janet Bengel. “It has a contemporary feel and timely message.”

Misuse of power. Seduction. Political manipulation. Love. Betrayal. Five hundred years of politics and sex, and one could argue that little has changed.

The play modernizes the scandalous stories of Henry’s six wives. Catherine of Aragon (Wife #1) is regally played by Diane May. After one daughter and almost 20 years of marriage, King Henry had the marriage annulled – which took some serious political maneuverings. Why? Enter.  Anne Boleyn (Wife #2) played by Erin McKenna. Despite being the mother to Henry’s second daughter, Anne was beheaded when Henry’s interest wandered elsewhere.

Jane Seymour (Wife #3) played by Lisa Elena Monda, married Henry within days of Anne’s execution. She bore Henry his coveted son, but died soon after. It is here that the story gets strange! A marriage arranged sight unseen and never consummated is how historians summarize Anne of Cleves (Wife #4) played by Melody Moore. But why? The couple amicably divorced soon after the wedding, and Anne lived out her life as Henry’s “beloved sister.”

Kathryn Howard (Wife #5) played by Jade Williamson, was only15 when Henry (now old and fat) took a fancy to her. She was beheaded not long after the wedding for “failing to disclose her sexual history to the king within twenty days of their marriage.” The law was 6 days old. She was 19 years old.  Katherine Parr (Wife #6) is played by Ellen Rickert. She was twice widowed when she married the Henry. She was a capable regent, published author, and she out-lived Henry by one year.

Divorced Beheaded Died. Divorced Beheaded Survived.

The Regina Monologues, which is directed by Rebecca Tomlinson, runs Feb 1-3 in the Parish Hall at St Paul’s Episcopal Church (which is near the corner of Eaton and Bahama St). Tickets are available online at www.fringetheater.org or by calling 305-731-0581.

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