The Play's The Thing...well, actually, no. It's the character that's the thing.

What is so unique about Piccolo Theatre’s production of “Six Dead Queens and an Inflatable Henry!”? Well, to start, it is a character piece, rather than the traditional “fourth-wall” type drama. It also has an extremely tight and well-balanced ensemble, who certainly deliver “the goods” and deliver them well (in some cases with beautiful pink accessories). Piccolo Theatre specializes in ensemble work and comedy (not “improve”) and most audiences this side of the Great Pond are accustomed to “fourth-wall” story-based theatre: i.e. boy meets girl, boy has girl’s head cut off, boy marries his mistress whilst the audience looks on as voyeurs.


I find this concept of “fourth-wall drama” really pretty funny, as life isn’t quite so simple as having a distinct “through-line”. Piccolo’s show is more like people-watching at your local coffee shop – the “story” isn’t so much the development of a plot, but the development of the character: the “story” of that individual queen.

What has been so enjoyable about this process has been the ensemble itself – each cast member has given their individual skills, which has created a unique balance for this show. The character study of “Six Dead Queens” is an exploration into the grotesque – buffoonery, if you will. Each “character” of the queens has been developed through clown work, physical work, mask – and yes, even a little history and a touch of the traditional “METHOD” yearned for by American audiences.

So, if you’re coming to watch a live version of “The Tudors” you may be in for a surprise. While our actresses are prettier than Jonathan Rhys Meyers, they are also more adept at finding the humor in the lives of each queen (balanced with the tragedy), not to mention a lot less diva-behavior than you find with the Hollywood A-List crowd. Plan to attend this show with the intent to participate as a knowledgeable voyeur – know that you’re “people-watching” (you can even drink coffee, provided you grab one at the concession stand before entering the theatre). Enjoy the grotesqueness of each Queen’s story!

-- Leeann (Anna of Cleves)