This stunning historical drama in the spirit of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, reimagines the dangerous sparring between King Henry VIII and Katherine Parr through a richly provocative contemporary lens.

★★★★ Stage Noise | ★★★★ ArtsHub | ★★★★ State of the Art | ★★★★1/2 The Music

Overview

Australian premiere

In a deadly game of power, intrigue and passion, Kate Parr must live by her wits if she wants to avoid becoming another statistic on Henry’s growing list of dead wives. With stepdaughters, step-sisters and the very crown at stake, it will take a woman of immense courage to initiate change.

Can Kate remain steadfast as she navigates the treacherous waters of gender politics, or will she succumb to the might of Henry’s increasing paranoia?

Kate Hennig’s stunning debut play reimagines the dangerous sparring between Henry VIII and Katherine Parr through a richly provocative contemporary lens. Nikki Shiels (STC’s CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF) and Ben Wood (THE BIG TIME) joins an accomplished ensemble cast in a tale that is at once funny, seductive and deliciously thrilling.

Ticket Prices

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Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

SINGLE TICKET PRICESPreviews & weekday matineesEvenings & weekend matinees
Adult$73$78
Seniors$70$75
Pensioners$66$71
Under 30s & Full-time students$38$43
MEAA members$43$43
Groups 10-19$70$75
Groups 20+$66$71
School groups$25$25
Reviews

★★★★ "This production elevates an already witty and fascinating play to an even higher level." Stage Noise

"Intriguing, inventive and... unexpectedly funny." Audrey Journal

★★★★ "A strong play with terrific performances… dynamic and engaging." ArtsHub

★★★★ "A razor-sharp script and an outstanding ensemble performance." State of the Art

★★★★ ½ “A historical drama with a fierce, even radical, 21st century frame.” The Music

★★★★1/2 "well paced with all the suspense and humour brought to the fore... reflects to a large extent the travails that present-day women must still course." Theatre Now

"[Nikki] Shiels is electric as the defiant Kate, with quick wit and a brilliant strength... a work that delights and inspires" Theatre Travels

“Directed by Mark Kilmurry, [Kate] Hennig’s dialogue bristles with pace and wit.” Stage Whispers

"Nikki Shiels and Ben Wood are a beautifully matched study in stark contrasts: light and dark, subtle and swaggering." Stage Noise

Cast & Creatives
Kate Hennig

Kate Hennig

Playwright
Mark Kilmurry

Mark Kilmurry

Director
Adam Deusien

Adam Deusien

Assistant Director
Emma Chelsey

Emma Chelsey

Cast
Emma Harvie

Emma Harvie

Cast
Simon London

Simon London

Cast
Nikki Shiels

Nikki Shiels

Cast
Bishanyia Vincent

Bishanyia Vincent

Cast
Ben Wood

Ben Wood

Cast
Simone Romaniuk

Simone Romaniuk

Set & Costume Designer

Simone Romaniuk is an award winning set, costume and festival designer who works between Australia and the UK. For Ensemble Theatre she has designed FRANKENSTEIN and CASANOVA.

Set and costume design credits include: Unicorn Theatre, London: THE HUNTING LODGE. RNCM, Manchester: LA VIE PARISIENNE. Queensland Theatre Company: MACBETH, VENUS IN FUR, KELLY, HEAD FULL OF LOVE, ELIZABETH: ALMOST BY CHANCE A WOMAN, BOMBSHELLS, FRACTIONS, THE REMOVALISTS, WAITING FOR GODOT, RUBY MOON, EATING ICE CREAM, BECKETT X 3, and THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED. Opera Queensland: THE MAGIC FLUTE, THE MERRY WIDOW, SPACE ENCOUNTERS and THE MIKADO. Sydney Theatre Company: THE CRUCIBLE and THYESTES.

Since 2015 Simone has been the designer for annual international arts festival OzAsia Festival at Adelaide Festival Centre. She was resident designer for Queensland Theatre Company across 2011- 2012 and was awarded Matilda Awards Outstanding achievement for Design in 2012 and 2014. She holds design degrees from NIDA and QCA.

www.simoneromaniuk.com

Nicholas Higgins

Nicholas Higgins

Lighting Designer

Nick has been an independent lighting designer since graduating from WAAPA in 1999. He has worked across all genres in all states and for most companies. Nick is not only a Lighting Designer, but a photographer and film-maker. He has worked extensively for Ensemble Theatre and was a nominee for the Best Lighting Design Award, Sydney Theatre Awards for his design for FRANKENSTEIN. Nick and his partner moved to Tasmania after working on a show and falling in love with the state. He just hopes that no-one else finds out how wonderful it is here!

Lauren Tulloh

Lauren Tulloh

Stage Manager
Alana Canceri

Alana Canceri

Costume Supervisor

Alana is a Sydney-based costume designer, maker and supervisor. She trained at Ultimo TAFE where she received Diplomas in Costume for Performance, Fashion Design & Technology and Printing & Graphic Arts.

Theatre credits for Ensemble Theatre: NEVILLE’S, ISLAND, THE RASPUTIN AFFAIR, TWO, e-baby, THE BIG DRY, TRIBES, GOOD PEOPLE, JACK OF HEARTS, BLOOD BANK, MY ZINC BED, THE BOOK CLUB, MOTHERS AND SONS and THE ANZAC PROJECT. Other credits: CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL (City of Sydney, assistant supervisor, maker), THAT EYE, THE SKY (New Theatre, costume designer), 8TH WONDER- SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE THE OPERA (Opera Australia, dresser), MY FAIR LADY (Opera Australia, maker), PUMPED UP (web-series, designer), SKINFORD (web-series, standby) and GODS OF EGYPT (feature film, maker). Alana has also worked as a stylist for Ensemble Theatre 2016, 2017 & 2018 Season Brochure.

Peggy Carter

Peggy Carter

Makeup

Peggy trained at Artransa Film Studios, London BBC – Thames TV, then in special effects at Universal Studios in LA. Throughout her distinguished career Peggy has worked with Robin Williams, Jack Nicholson, Sydney Pollack, Denzel Washington, Danny De Vito, Jeff Goldblum, Hugo Weaving, Garry McDonald, Ruth Cracknell, Greta Scacchi, Bryan Brown, Barry Humphries, Jacki Weaver, Judy Davis, Toni Collette, Barry & Miranda Otto, Googie Withers, Gordon Chater, Jose` Carreras, Carl Malden, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Lauren Bacall. She has designed the make-up for many Ensemble Theatre and STC productions. Other theatre credits include THE BIG DRY, RAPTURE BLISTER BURN, FRANKENSTEIN, 2015 and 2016 SEASON BROCHURES (Ensemble Theatre) CATS, KING LEAR (RQTC), JOSEPH, HELLO DOLLY, 42ND STREET, ST JOAN, HERETIC, COMEDY OF ERRORS, SHOWBOAT, CYRANO DE BERGERAC & RENT. For Television, THE LOVE BOAT, CIRCUS OF THE STARS, RACE RIOTS. Other film credits include The GREAT GATSBY, LILLIAN’S STORY, MOULIN ROUGE, MATRIX, HOWLING II, AGE OF CONSENT, TALKABOUT, DON QUIXOTE, SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY and CADDIE. Peggy has taught Masterclasses at NIDA. In 1999 she won the Makeup Award for KING LEAR (Bell Shakespeare) and in 2000 a National Makeup Award for overall contribution to the industry.

VIDEO
DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Kate Hennig’s extraordinary play bridges the gap between a historical drama with contemporary relevance. The characters in THE LAST WIFE suddenly spring to life with real thoughts, feelings, ambitions, humour. We are in the prescence of real people surviving not just politically and royally, but within a family circle. The danger of Kate Parr’s drive is not just to negotiate a way forward but to instinctively learn to read her husband, King and ruler. I am thrilled to have been transported to this world with this wonderful cast and marvel at the ways we haven’t changed much in the last 500 plus years.

Mark Kilmurry  Artistic Director

PROGRAM

Want to know more about Kate Hennig’s thrilling and powerful drama THE LAST WIFE? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a note from Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos of the cast in rehearsals plus more!

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF)

PHOTO GALLERY