Royal Wedding fever at Pentameters Theatre - My husband and I digs deep into blue-blooded unions of past monarchs

Published: 28 April 2011
by PAVAN AMARA

THERE’S royal wedding fever at a Hampstead theatre – but no mention of Wills and Kate.

My Husband And I, a new play at Pentameters in Heath Street, digs deep into the past of blue-blooded unions by going back to Henry VIII.

Actor Bernard Lawrence, who directs the play, said: “The first part will indulge in Victoria and Albert’s love-at-first-sight experience. It was almost like they looked at each other and thought: ‘Ah, I’ll have that one!’ 

“The second looks at King Charles II’s marriage to Catherine of Braganza. That tries to highlight exactly what their worldweary marriage was about. I suppose it captures what many marriages are like. They’re shown chatting, and they’re both tired and exhausted of the world. 

“Then we have Henry VIII and his marriage to  Catherine Parr. That was a load of nonsense, but exemplifies the highs and lows of any partnership – the scene shows him arguing with her because his breakfast is too raw. She gets angry and insults his family, and he says: ‘Right take her to the tower.’ Then he starts to say it was only a joke, because, like many married couples, he starts to have doubts about how he’ll feel when she’s gone for good.”

The production, which amalgamates three plays, runs until May 13.