"Royal Games" by Grigory Gorin, summary Automatic translate

Written in 1995, the play reimagines the relationship between the English monarch Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It’s a sharp satire on the workings of state power, blending real events of the sixteenth century with elements of the grotesque and outright tragicomedy. Directed by Mark Zakharov, the production at Moscow’s Lenkom Theatre was a resounding success. For this production, the creators received the State Prize of the Russian Federation and the Crystal Turandot theatre award.

The birth of passion and ambition

The narrative begins with a domestic scene at the estate of the royal treasurer, Thomas Boleyn. The housekeeper is teaching a new deaf-mute servant the rules of conduct. A family secret soon comes to light. Mary Boleyn is holding a baby — the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII. The king has cooled toward her. Treasurer Thomas trembles before power and is willing to endure any disgrace for the sake of gain.

Cardinal Wolsey arrives at the estate on a secret mission. The ruler’s attention has been drawn to Mary’s younger sister, Anne Boleyn. The girl has returned from France and secretly become engaged to Lord Percy. The young people swear fidelity to each other. The cardinal tries to separate the lovers. He informs the young man of the monarch’s will: Percy is obligated to marry Earl Talbot’s daughter immediately.

Henry VIII bursts into the house under the pretext of a boar hunt. He roars, shouts, and behaves like a savage. The Emperor dismisses his retinue and is left alone with Anne. The girl openly declares her hatred, calling the ruler a slovenly bear and a poor musician. Enraged, Henry stages a deadly competition, forcing Percy to hunt a wild boar. The groom survives, but is seriously wounded.

The king’s anger turns to mercy. He takes up his lute and sings a tender song for Anne. The ruler begs the girl to become his beloved. Henry laments his cursed marriage to Catherine of Aragon. All the sons she bore died. The girl responds with a resounding slap. She consents to intimacy only on one condition: the sovereign must divorce his wife and make Anne the rightful queen of England.

The Church Schism and the New Order

Time passes. Anna organizes a French-style salon. She gathers around her the philosopher Thomas More, the poet Wyeth, her lady-in-waiting Jane Seymour, and musicians. Anna’s uncle, Lord Norfolk, feels uncomfortable among intellectuals. The poet Wyeth recites poetry. Thomas More reflects on the imperfections of the world.

Cardinal Wolsey brings catastrophic news. The Pope refuses to grant his consent to the annulment of the marriage. The Spanish king’s troops have approached the Vatican, and the pontiff is terrified. Henry is furious. The cardinal advises him to give in and wait.

Secretary Cromwell seizes the moment. He lays out a radical plan for state. Cromwell proposes passing a law making it treasonable for all priests who do not recognize the supremacy of the crown. Anne ardently supports this harsh measure. Henry publicly declares himself head of the new Church of England.

Cardinal Wolsey, overcome with fear, agrees to become the primate of the new faith. Bishop Fisher and philosopher Thomas More refuse to betray their religious ideals. Cromwell orders guards to remove the rebellious thinkers. The poet Wyatt, unable to bear the strain, professes his passionate love for Anne. The irritated monarch has the poet arrested. Anne triumphantly leads Henry to his bedchamber.

Disappointed expectations

Soon, bells ring in the royal palace. The entire country celebrates the birth of the heir. The housekeeper and servants scatter silver coins to the jubilant crowd. A drunken Henry rushes into the chambers, ready to embrace his newborn son. Elizabeth Boleyn and Lord Norfolk try to prepare the ruler for the unpleasant news.

The monarch tears off the swaddling clothes and sees a girl. For a moment, he is captivated by the infant’s smile. Henry admires the baby’s strong arms and aquiline nose. However, the political crisis takes its toll. Wales is in revolt, the monasteries are resisting reforms. The ruler demands a son to pacify the people.

Anne demands that Elizabeth be declared the rightful princess. A quarrel ensues. The King threatens to annul the marriage. He longs to bring back his lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour, from exile. Anne stands firm and forces her husband to sign a decree calling for a national holiday in Elizabeth’s honor. Henry complies, but in a rage, he smashes furniture.

Conspiracy and trial

Thomas More and Bishop Fisher sit on hard benches in the Tower of London. Cardinal Wolsey persuades them to swear allegiance to the newborn princess in exchange for their freedom. The prisoners refuse to trade their convictions. Cromwell advises the sovereign to get rid of Anne legally. Accusing the queen of infidelity guarantees the crowd’s full support.

Henry summons Jane Seymour directly to prison. He tears off the jewelry Anne gave her and sexually assaults her to the solemn sounds of the national anthem. Having made his final decision, the ruler orders his wife arrested.

Lord Norfolk arrives at his niece’s house with a writ of execution. He attempts to bribe the housekeeper and a deaf-mute servant to give false testimony. The cunning Cromwell seizes the initiative. He coolly seduces the housekeeper into detailing the fake orgies for the court record.

The closed trial begins. Anne refuses to sit in the dock. Lord Norfolk is appointed chief justice, Cardinal Wolsey becomes prosecutor, and Cromwell takes on the mocking role of defense counsel. Guards bring in the exhausted musicians. Smeaton is covered in bloody bruises. Unable to withstand the torture, the young man confesses to the rape of the queen.

Anna realizes the hopelessness of the situation. She abandons her attempts to justify herself and goes on the offensive. She screams that she really did sleep with Norris, Smeaton, the poet Wyeth, and her own uncle Norfolk. This public insult leaves Norfolk speechless. He becomes paralyzed. The court hearing is canceled.

The last journey

In the final scene, a wooden scaffold is erected on stage. Henry’s mind is clouded. He sits next to a deaf-mute musician and makes eerie bird-like cries. Cromwell methodically reports on the execution schedule. According to the secretary, the monarch must wave his hand to stop the executioner. This will be followed by national rejoicing and Anne’s exile to a distant island.

The queen is brought before her husband. Instead of her white linen shirt, she dons a luxurious black dress. Henry promises her a quiet life in a secluded castle. He dreams of renouncing the burden of power and living with her like Adam and Eve. Anne rejects this illusion. She knows of the king’s wedding to Jane Seymour the following day.

The proud woman makes a terrible choice. Saving her at the cost of shame will deprive little Elizabeth of her right to the throne. Anne asks Henry to prove his love and see the execution through. Only a dead queen will leave behind a legitimate heir. The Emperor falls to his knees and howls with grief. Anne tenderly offers him her hand. Music plays, and together the couple takes their first steps toward the scaffold.