The Other Boleyn Girl
Lloyd Perry
28 May 2025
The Other Boleyn Girl by Mark Poulton is a poignant dramatisation of the often-overlooked rivalry between Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary. Set against the opulent and perilous backdrop of King Henry VIII’s court, the play follows Mary as she is thrust into the role of royal mistress, used as a pawn by her ambitious family. Though initially reluctant, Mary develops genuine feelings for the king, which places her in direct conflict with her sister Anne, who is determined to claim the crown at any cost.
As Anne rises in power and eventually becomes queen, the bond between the sisters begins to unravel. Anne’s ambition drives a wedge between them, and her ruthlessness in pursuit of the throne leaves little room for loyalty or tenderness. Mary, in contrast, grows increasingly disillusioned with the court’s manipulation and the moral compromises expected of her. Through their rivalry, the play explores themes of love, betrayal, and the sacrifices women are forced to make in a world dominated by men.
In the end, The Other Boleyn Girl is as much about sisterhood as it is about ambition. It captures the heartbreak of watching a loved one change beyond recognition and the courage it takes to walk away from power in favour of personal truth.
Marking an impressive 50 years of theatre in the local area, the Poulner Players chose to celebrate this milestone season with a challenging and emotionally layered play; a highly ambitious move that overall hit the mark.
The main cast carried much of the weight of the performance, delivering lines with conviction and passion. There were strong performances from Caroline Windsor (Anne Boleyn), Rhianna Au-Webb (Mary Boleyn) and Peter Cockburn as the Duke of Norfolk. Their dedication to their characters was evident and key moments, particularly the end of Act 1 and the show’s final scenes, generated real drama and an emotional response from the audience.
However, some aspects of the production did not quite meet the same high plain. Direction throughout the show felt underdeveloped. Basic staging issues, such as actors standing in front of one another or remaining in profile for extended periods, hampered the storytelling and often obscured key expressions and reactions. Also some of the male cast wore black jeans and modern lace up shoes which again hampered the Tudor atmosphere that was trying to be created.
One real highlight, was the brief use of thrust-style staging, which drew the audience into the action and created a far more immediate and engaging experience. It was a technique that worked exceptionally well and could have been used more extensively to enhance the performance throughout.
One disappointing choice was the decision for the cast to return to the stage immediately after the curtain call to mingle with friends and family. This disrupted the dramatic illusion that had just been built, weakening the emotional impact of the ending.
Despite its uneven elements, this production showed flashes of real potential and theatrical strength. With stronger direction and technical refinement, and bolstered by community support, the Poulner Players can continue to grow in a very positive way.
The production also supported the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, a noble and vital cause and it was brilliant to see representatives from the organisation there supporting the production.
The Other Boleyn Girl runs at the Poluner Scout Hall until Saturday 31st May 2025. Tickets still available for all performances from the Poulner Players website. If you have some spare time pop down to Poulner Players to help celebrate this important milestone!
