Meet the wives of Henry VIII in a cabaret-comedy

Theatre

actor

Shatarupa Bhattacharyya

has turned director with an all-women play, called

Six Dead Queens and an Inflatable Henry

. As the title suggests, this play shifts the spotlight back on one of the most infamous monarchs of the

Tudor Dynasty

—

Henry VIII

. The story revolves around his six hapless queens — three Catherines, two Annes and one Jane — who, although lived in different timeframes, have come together after their death to teach a lesson to the ruthless king.
“These remarkable women suffered a lot in their lifetime. Betrayed, bemused and even beheaded by Henry VIII, they barely lived the life of a queen. But now, they all have come alive and are ready to take a stand. Although the plot relies on a chapter of history, it draws a metaphorical resemblance, of sorts, to the state of women in today’s world — their stories of struggle and empowerment,” says Shatarupa, adding, “The play is a celebration of women, from different times and age groups. The plot negotiates the role of consent, choice and identity.”
Partly biographical and partly

cabaret

, this

comedy

play runs for a duration of 90 minutes. There is no entry or exit of the characters. All the actors stay on stage from the beginning till end. “The ghosts of the six dead queens vent their desires and frustrations in an after-life scene, set in a bedroom,” says the director.
A

Bangalore Little Theatre

production, Six Dead Queen and an Inflatable Henry is premiering at Alliance Française de Bangalore this weekend. The play features actors |Ruchi Tandon, Ujani Ghosh, Sneha Sridhar, Shraddha Raj, Bhagyashree Kakoti, Sanchitha Poonacha. The play was originally devised by the UK’s female-led group Foursight Theatre, in 1999.