Full casting revealed for West End transfer of '1536'
1536, which has been nominated for Best New Play at the 2026 Olivier Awards, is set during the period of King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn and explores the impact of royal drama on three friends: Anna, Jane, and Mariella.
The full cast has been announced for 1536, which arrives in the West End following a run at the Almeida Theatre in 2025.
Joining Liv Hill as Jane (Three Girls), Siena Kelly as Anna (Black Mirror, Adult Material), and Tanya Reynolds as Mariella (Sex Education, A Mirror), who are all reprising their previous roles, are Oliver Johnstone as Richard (Retrograde, All My Sons) and George Kemp as William (High Noon, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?).
Harry Bradley (The Play That Goes Wrong, The Mousetrap) will understudy the roles of Richard and William, Saroja-Lily Ratnavel (81 (Life), Chasing Hares) will understudy the roles of Jane and Mariella and Sydney Spencer (Hamilton, The Wizard of Oz) will understudy the role of Anna.
1536, which has been nominated for Best New Play at the 2026 Olivier Awards, is set during the period of King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn and explores the impact of royal drama on three friends: Anna, Jane, and Mariella.
In a review for LondonTheatre.co.uk, our critic said of the Almeida run: "This play featuring elements of Wolf Hall, EastEnders and Thomas Hardy [...] boasts three outstanding central performances in a visually arresting production, and Pickett is a new voice to listen out for."
The creative team includes Director Lyndsey Turner, Set and Costume Designer Max Jones, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designer Tingying Dong, Movement and Intimacy Director Anna Morrissey, and Composer and Arranger Will Stuart.
Book 1536 tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk
Photo credit: 1536 at the Almeida. (Courtesy of production)
Frequently asked questions
What is 1536 about?
Travel back in time to Essex during the Tudor period with 1536, by Ava Pickett. This is an unsettling, deeply feminist, and witty play about gendered power imbalances and the power of female friendship, transferring to the West End after a sold-out Almeida Theatre run.
What's the age recommendation for 1536?
The recommended age for 1536 is Ages 14+. .
Where is 1536 playing?
1536 is playing at Ambassadors Theatre. The theatre is located at West Street, London, WC2H 9ND.
How long is 1536?
The running time of 1536 is 2hr. No Interval.
How do you book tickets for 1536?
Book tickets for 1536 on London Theatre.
How much do tickets cost for 1536?
Tickets for 1536 start at £63.
Who wrote 1536?
Ava Pickett wrote the play.
Who directed 1536?
Lyndsey Turner is the director.
Is 1536 appropriate for kids?
1536 is best suited for those ages 14 and above. The production includes mentions of violence and explicit content and contains strong language.
Is 1536 good?
1536 is a phenomenal, deeply compelling play that shines a light on major modern issues through a historical lens. The performances from the three main actresses are impressive, and the writing itself is out of this world, offering audiences a night of theatre that makes them laugh and also allows them to reflect on issues like misogyny and gendered power structures.
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