1536 Review at Ambassadors Theatre London

1536 is the electrifying new play by Ava Pickett that premiered at the Almeida Theatre in 2025 to critical acclaim, selling out its run before transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End, where audiences have until 1 August to catch one of the most exciting new British plays in recent years. 

Set in Tudor England, 1536 begins in a field in Essex, where three women rush to their childhood meeting place, eager for the latest gossip out of London. News spreads quickly of a growing conflict between King Henry VIII and his queen, Anne Boleyn, while closer to home, another dangerous rumour starts to take hold. As these women begin to see echoes of the royal drama in their own rural lives and violence spreads throughout the land, the actions of a queen imprisoned in a tower threaten to cost them everything. 

For this West End production Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica, Road Dahl’s The Witches, The Crucible) directs Liv Hill (Three Girls, Film Club, Miss Austen) as Jane, Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Adult Material, A Doll’s House) as Anna, and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education, The Other Bennet Sister, Decameron) as Mariella all reprising their roles from the Almeida Theatre production. Joining them are Oliver Johnston (Romans: A Novel, All My Sons, Oppenheimer) as Richard and George Kemp (High Noon, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Bridgerton) as William. 

In 1536, I felt I witnessed a masterclass in acting from Liv Hill, Siena Kelly and Tanya Reynolds. As the younger Jane, Liv Hill gave a deeply engaging performance that balanced innocence, humour and uncertainty throughout. Hill captured the awkwardness and optimism of youth in a way that felt completely believable, making each new discovery feel immediate and emotionally charged. She also brought a warmth to Jane that made it easy to connect with her, particularly in the lighter moments. As the play went on, Hill gradually revealed a tougher side to the character, showing Jane becoming more aware of the harsh world around her and making her emotional journey genuinely affecting. 

As midwife Mariella, Tanya Reynolds gave a performance full of quiet strength and compassion, with a clear understanding of her place within the world of the play. Reynolds made Mariella feel both caring and experienced, while also hinting at the pressures and limitations she faces. Her scenes had a natural ease to them, particularly in the way she guided and supported Jane, and she brought emotional depth through small, understated moments. The result was a performance that felt believable and deeply moving. 

As Anna, Siena Kelly delivered a layered performance that balanced bravado with vulnerability and self-awareness. Kelly gave Anna a sharp wit and confidence that often masked the fear and uncertainty underneath, while still allowing moments of tenderness to break through. There was a restless energy to the character that made her feel like someone constantly pushing against the limits placed on her by the world around her. It was a fierce and emotionally intelligent performance that made Anna feel complicated, modern and entirely human. 

One of the play’s greatest strengths was its use of modern language, which made the characters feel immediate and relatable. The dialogue allowed the humour, friendships and tensions between the women to feel recognisable to a contemporary audience, while also highlighting how little has changed. Beneath the Tudor setting, the play was still a strikingly modern story about fearmongering, patriarchal control and the dangers of societies built on control, suspicion and the policing of women. The audience response throughout was incredibly visceral, with people around the theatre audibly reacting at key moments gasping and even verbally responding to the action onstage. It created a charged atmosphere that made the experience feel communal and was genuinely incredible to witness. 

1563 is a gripping, funny and emotionally powerful piece of theatre that feels just as relevant now as the history it explores. With outstanding performances, sharp writing and an atmosphere that completely pulls the audience in, it’s the kind of play that stays with you long after the curtain call. Make sure you book tickets quickly before it sells out again. 

1536plays at the Ambassadors Theatre until 1 August 2026.

Where I Sat

For this performance, I was seated in Stalls Row G5. The Ambassadors Theatre is one of the smaller West End venues, and the seating did feel a little cramped at times. Even as an average-sized person, I found the seat fairly narrow, with limited space around the armrests. That said, the view from Row G was excellent, offering a perfect view of the stage and allowing the performance to feel close and immersive. 

Have You Seen 1536?

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Reviewed by Stuart James for SeatPlan, May 2026.