Katherine Howard

The Nonentities have again triumphed, as this story of Henry VIII's fifth queen kept the audience riveted throughout and provided a most enjoyable evening. Colin Young gives a "majestic" performance as Henry, capturing the moods of the king to perfection, from the bombastic to the tender, and the final scene when the sad king held the audience in rapt silence.

Another outstanding performance came from Julie Innes, as Katherine, the scene where she pleads with Henry to believe her faithlessness being exceptional and there were good performances by Athol M'Donald as the evil Cranmer and Sandy Tudor as his unwilling collaborator. A cameo by Nicola Stickland of the Nonnies' version of "that scene" from When Harry Met Sally, provided laughter and spontaneous applause. The cast and music were well chosen and the costumes superb.

If the story is true, it is easy to see where Shakespeare got the inspiration for Othello, as this is also a story of intrigue by a trusted aide, "proving" totally unfounded guilt. Funny at times, sad a times, this play is for adults only.

VJS

Trevor Bailey's absorbing production does not put a foot wrong from its splendid stylised opening to its moving and magnificent epilogue by Colin Young. Mr Young gives us a Henry VIII of honest introspection; as ageing monarch tired of his body and aware of its imperfections but haplessly devoted to his young wife. Julie Innes opposite him in the title role, is likewise a fount of honesty; a young woman pitched into queenship, who meets her position unfazed but respectful before happiness and eventually tragedy take hold.

A splendid company commands out attention on a set whose starkness is lit with distinction. Nicola Stickland is a joy in doing exemplary justice to the evening's only amusing few moments as the lady in waiting.

John Slim

The year is 1540 and, like a lamb to the slaughter, poor Katherine Howard is about to become the pawn in everyone's game of power play. The teenage bride of one of England's most notorious monarchs relies heavily on her ability to be loved and her inability to tell a lie - but it's her honesty that will eventually lead to her downfall.

The Nonentities superb production of William Nichol;son's masterpiece mesmerised last night's audience. Set during the religious struggles of the most turbulent of Tudor times, Kate has come to Henry VIII's court as a maidservant to the fourth wife, the naive Anne of Cleves. Katherine is pretty, poorly educated but had the great advantage of youth on her side. And it is this youth that an ageing Henry so desired to rekindle in himself. Any woman runs a risk when she breaks her husband's heart but, when yours is the King of England, you must expect to pay the ultimate price.

It's difficult to single out any of the superb cast. The resplendent Colin Young's toughing portrayal of Henry the man rather than Henry the king, gave an insight into how he might have battled with his conscience over fulfilling his duty to the nation and his ultimate desire to be loved. Julie Innes was a perfect Kate, putty in the hands of her ambitious uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, brilliantly played by Paul Thomson. Sandy Tudor's Lady Jane Rochford was excellent and her explanation of the facts of life to a clueless queen was hysterical. Athol M'Donald was a powerful and convincing Cranmer. Jo Widdowson, as Anne of Cleves, was a joy and Jamie Thompson's lovestruck Culpeper full of charm and compassion. I must mention Nicola Stickland as Mrs Hall, whose performance of the "sighs from the marriage bed" would rival even that famous scene from When Harry Met Sally.

The play has everything - intrigue, humour, wit and romance. Don't miss it.

Julie Keen