Jonathan Coy stars as the much-married King in this unreliable Tudor history'A brilliant concept... does exactly what it says on the tin' The TimesFrom his tiny room at Hampton Court, the royal chronicler records the comings and goings of the King of England, his six Queens - and his six mothers-in-law. Introducing us to these redoubtable ladies, he relates the surprising part they played in the destiny of Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives. We meet Catherine of Aragon's duenna, Dona Elvira, whose introduction of paella, flamenco and bullfighting to his home leads Henry to seek his pleasures elsewhere; Lady Boleyn, whose gentleman admirer threatens danger for her daughter Anne; and Lady Margaret, whose attempt to overturn hundreds of years of tradition leads to a dramatic confrontation. There's also meddling matriarch Mrs Loew, whose devious dealmaking costs Henry dear; good-time grandmother Duchess Agnes, who encourages Catherine Howard to play the field - and neglect her husband; and Catherine Parr's mother, whose impact on the King's court will be life-changing for Henry - and for his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell... Created by Barry Grossman (The Attractive Young Rabbi), this tongue-in-cheek historical spoof stars Jonathan Coy as King Henry VIII, with a star cast including Carla Mendonca, Lydia Leonard, Jasmine Hyde, Marcia Warren and Geoffrey McGivern. Production creditsCreated and written by Barry GrossmanEpisode 3 written by Jim Eldridge and Episode 4 by Rene BasilicoProduced by John Fawcett WilsonMusic composed by Jim ParkerCastHenry VIII - Jonathan CoyThomas Cromwell - Milton JohnsChronicler - Alfred BurkeCatherine of Aragon - Carla MendoncaDona Elvira - Sheila SteafelWolsey - John RowePope - Stephen GreifLady Boleyn - Diane FletcherAnne Boleyn - Lydia LeonardMaurice Crumb - David HoltJane Seymour - Jasmine HydeLady Margaret - Eve MathesonSir John - John WebbAntonio - Jonathan KyddAnne of Cleves - Sasha PickMrs Loew - Aletta LawsonCourt fool - Chris EmmettHans Holbein/Sir Richard - Peter van DisselCatherine Howard - Helen LongworthDuchess Agnes - Marcia WarrenWilliam of Winchelsea - Geoffrey McGivernSimon of Southwark - Gyuri SarossiCatherine Parr - Rachel AtkinsMother - Sally GraceFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 November-22 December 2003 (c)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
