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1536

By Ava Pickett, Directed by Lyndsey Turner

Event details

Sold Out

Tue 6 May - Sat 7 Jun 2025

Many performances of 1536 currently have limited availability, but you still might be able to get tickets, check our ticket guide for tips >

★★★★
“An effortlessly funny, bold and ballsy play”
The Guardian

★★★★
“Razor-sharp, darkly comic and blisteringly relevant”
Independent

Kings don’t kill their wives alright? It’s not – it just don’t happen. It doesn’t.

Tudor England. 

A field in Essex. 

Three women hurry to their childhood meeting place, thirsty for gossip from London. 

Word spreads of a clash between King Henry VIII and his Queen, Anne Boleyn. And closer to home, another rumour threatens to catch fire.

As these women realise the parallels between their ordinary, rural lives and the royal drama taking place at a distance, they are faced with several choices, all of which end in violence. 

Written as part of the Genesis Almeida New Playwrights, Big Plays Programme, Ava Pickett’s 1536 was the winner of the 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and was commended by The George Devine Award for its “sparkling dialogue and savage undercurrent”. Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica) directs Liv Hill (Alma Mater, Three Girls), Siena Kelly (Adult Material, Domino Day) and Tanya Reynolds (A Mirror, Sex Education) in this fiendishly smart and funny new play which asks whether female solidarity can survive in a world where barbarism and misogyny are state sanctioned.

Running Time Approx. 1 hour & 50 mins, no interval.
Subject to change during previews.

Evenings 7.30pm
Matinees 2.30pm

Content Warnings Recommended for ages 15+. Read more about our production guidance and warnings>

1536

How to get tickets

Many performances are currently sold out or have limited availability, but you might still be able to get tickets.

Check our ticket guide

1536 Production Photo

Production  Photos

By Helen Murray

An image gallery with 32 photos
Siena Kelly wears a light pink dress and stands in a field on stage with Tanya Reynolds, who wears a brown dress and the stage is framed by a thin blue neon light and illuminated by a soft blue-white screen from the back.
Liv Hill wears a burgundy dress and white overskirt and stands near Tanya Reynolds, who wears a brown dress. Tanya has one hand resting at her neck and both slightly smile as they look off to the side.
Liv Hill, Siena Kelly, and Tanya Reynolds are together in a field. Liv Hill wears a burgundy dress and white overskirt and crouches near Siena, who leans back on the ground against a laundry bundle, wearing a pink dress. Tanya talks to them while leaning against a tree. She wears a brown dress.
Liv Hill wears a burgundy dress and white overskirt and stands with her hands on her hips facing Tanya Reynolds. Tanya holds a white rag and looks at Liv with one hand on her hip.
Siena Kelly wears a pink dress and crouches in a field on stage. She is illuminated by warm light and looks back over her shoulder.
Liv Hill, Siena Kelly, and Tanya Reynolds are together in a field on stage. Siena wears a pink dress and sits between Liv and Tanya, who stand on either side of her. They are illuminated by warm light. The background is a soft purple screen.
Siena Kelly wears a pink dress and leans against a tree. She smiles, dimly lit by warm light.
Siena Kelly wears a pink dress and stands looking at Adam Hugill, who wears a brown jacket and trousers and white shirt.
Angus Cooper stands in a field on stage, wearing a light shirt and brown jacket and trousers. He smiles and gestures with one hand. In the other he holds two false dead hares.
Angus Cooper stands in a field on stage, wearing a light shirt and brown jacket and trousers. He smiles and gestures with one hand, and in the other he holds two false dead hares. He stands speaking to Liv Hill, who wears a burgundy dress and holds her hands together.
Siena Kelly wears a light pink dress and stands in a field on stage with her hands at her face, shouting. Tanya Reynolds stands on the right. She wears a brown dress and stands with her head thrown back, also shouting.
Siena Kelly wears a light pink dress and leans against a tree in a field on stage with her arms crossed. Tanya Reynolds stands on the right with her hands together in front of her. She wears a brown dress. They both have rueful expressions.
Liv Hill, Siena Kelly, and Tanya Reynolds are together in a field on stage. Siena sits a laundry hamper, and she and Tanya smile at Liv, who stands laughing with her arms out in front of her. There is a laundry line strung from a tree behind Tanya.
Liv Hill, Siena Kelly, and Tanya Reynolds are together in a field on stage. Siena and Tanya laugh as Liv gestures with her hands. They all wear dresses and there is a laundry line strung from a tree behind them.
Tanya Reynolds wears a brown dress and stands with her hand on Liv Hill’s cheek. Liv wears a burgundy dress and smiles at Tanya.
Liv Hill wears a burgundy dress and stands looking off to the side. She has a serious expression.
Siena Kelly and Adam Hugill stand looking at one another on a dimly lit stage. Siena wears a light purple dress and the stage is framed by a thin blue neon light.
Siena wears a light purple dress and stands near Adam Hugill, who looks down at her. Siena is tearful and has one arm crossed in front of her. There is a tree in the background and both are dimly lit.
Tanya Reynolds wears a flower crown and brown dress and stands with a hand over her mouth. Siena Kelly wears a purple dress and stands in the background.
Siena Kelly and Adam Hugill stand in a field on a dimly lit stage. Siena wears a light purple dress and the stage is framed by a thin white neon light. Adam looks at Siena as she opens a small circular box.
Siena Kelly wears a purple dress and dark red jacket in a dimly lit field on stage. She holds a lamp up to Adam Hugill, who wears a long brown jacket and faces her. They both have solemn expressions.
Siena Kelly is illuminated by white-green light in a field on stage. She throws her head back with her eyes closed.
Liv Hill wears a burgundy dress and white overskirt and stands on a dark stage in a field. She leans against a tree trunk and has a sombre expression.
The 1536 stage. A field is illuminated by white light, with a slanted tree trunk to the left. The back of the stage is a blue-white screen.
Siena Kelly wears a light pink dress and stands talking to Tanya Reynolds in a field on stage. Tanya wears a brown dress and crouches by a woven basket. The stage is framed by a thin blue neon light.
Angus Cooper stands in a field on stage, wearing a light shirt, brown jacket and trousers, and a flower crown. He has his hand on the back of Tanya Reynolds neck, who also wears a flower crown. She has one hand over his, and both have disconsolate expressions.

Videos

1536 Rehearsal Photo

Rehearsal Photos

By Helen Murray

An image gallery with 22 photos
Siena Kelly wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket, and black tracksuit bottoms. She stands with one hand on her waist and the other near her mouth.
Liv Hill wears a black cardigan and blue jeans. She stands with her arms by her sides and looks off to the side.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top and dark blue cargo trousers. She stands talking to Liv Hill and Siena Kelly, who wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket. Liv sits on the floor, and wears a black cardigan and blue jeans. They are in a rehearsal room.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top and dark blue cargo trousers. She stands on a black platform in a rehearsal room with Siena Kelly, who wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket. Siena sits on a rolled-up prop and they both look off to the side.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top and dark blue cargo trousers. She leans over Siena Kelly, who wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket. Siena lies on the floor and is laughing. There is a prop wooden basket near Siena’s head.
Angus Cooper wears a black cardigan and black trousers. He stands with his arms behind his back and smiles widely.
Angus Cooper wears a black cardigan and black trousers. He looks off to the side, and in one hand holds a prop dead rabbit.
Adam Hugill wears brown trousers and a white t-shirt. He has his arms crossed and leans back against a black prop. There are bags and other props around him in the background.
Adam Hugill wears brown trousers and a white t-shirt. He stands facing Siena Kelly and smiles, who leans in close to him and smiles widely. Siena wears an orange hoodie and denim jacket.
Adam Hugill wears brown trousers and a white t-shirt. He adjusts his belt, and his head is turned as he looks off to the side.
Siena Kelly wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket. She has her hands together in front of her and smiles.
Siena Kelly wears an orange hoodie and a denim jacket. She sits at a table and smiles widely.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top. She sits at a table and smiles.
Liv Hill wears a black cardigan. She sits at a table, holding a water bottle in one hand and smiling.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top and dark blue cargo trousers. She leans against a tall black prop. There are blue shopping bags on the floor and a table with props behind her.
Tanya Reynolds wears a black and white striped top and dark blue cargo trousers. She stands, talking to Liv Hill, who wears a black cardigan and blue jeans.

Cast & Creatives

  • Cast

    Angus Cooper
    Angus Cooper - Black and white headshot.
    Angus Cooper
    Liv Hill
    Headshot of Liv Hill
    Liv Hill
    Adam Hugill
    Adam Hugill - Black and white headshot.
    Adam Hugill
    Siena Kelly
    Headshot of actor Siena Kelly.
    Siena Kelly
    Tanya Reynolds
    Tanya Reynolds Headshot
    Tanya Reynolds

  • Creatives

    Ava Pickett
    Ava Pickett

    Writer

    Lyndsey Turner
    Lyndsey Turner

    Director

    Max Jones
    Max Jones

    Designer

    Jack Knowles
    Jack Knowles

    Lighting Designer

    Tim Lutkin
    Tim Lutkin

    Lighting Design Concept Collaborator

    Tingying Dong
    Tingying Dong

    Sound Designer

    Will Stuart
    Will Stuart

    Composer and Arranger

    Anna Morrissey
    Anna Morrissey

    Movement and Intimacy Director

    Amy Ball CDG
    Amy Ball CDG

    Casting Director

    Sam Lyon-Behan
    Sam Lyon-Behan

    Fight Director

    Edda Sharpe
    Edda Sharpe

    Dialect Coach

    Sabia Smith
    Sabia Smith

    Costume Supervisor

    Taiwo Ava Oyebola
    Taiwo Ava Oyebola

    Assistant Director

    Bolu Dairo
    Bolu Dairo

    Almeida Makers Design Placement

Access For All
Exterior of the Almeida Theatre at night with audience members gathered by the entrance doors.

Access Performances

Audio Described Sat 31 May 2.30pm (Touch Tour 12pm)
BSL Interpreted Mon 2 Jun 7.30pm
Captioned Fri 23 May 7.30pm
Relaxed Environment Wed 28 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm

For full information about how to book for our access performances please visit our Access For All page.

Access For All

Concessions

All concession tickets are limited and subject to availability. Proof of eligibility is required. Concessions in the final week of performances are only valid on access performances or for Deaf and disabled bookings. More info

Access

Deaf and disabled patrons and a companion can buy discounted tickets by calling the Box Office on 020 7359 4404 or email boxoffice@almeida.co.uk.

25s & Under

£5 tickets will be available to those aged 25 and under for performances from Tue 6 – Mon 12 May. Enter code 25UNDER when selecting your seats. Tickets go on sale at 5pm on Tue 15 Apr. More info

30s & Under, Over 65s & Unemployed

If you are aged 30 or under, over 65 or are unemployed you can book tickets at a discounted rate. Not applicable on Fri or Sat evenings.

Islington First

If you live or work in the Islington area you can book best available seats for £25 for performances from Tue 6 – Wed 14 May, subject to availability. Enter promo code ISFIRST when selecting your seats. Find applicable postcodes here.

Talks & Events

Talkback
After Mon 26 May performance
A post-show talk with members of the company. Free to same-day ticket holders.

Almeida For Free
Thu 22 May 7.30pm
A free performance for those aged 25 and under. More info >

Production Supporters

1536 is the first play commissioned through the Genesis Almeida New Playwrights, Big Plays Programme to make its world premiere at the Almeida.

The production is generously supported by The Charlotte Aitken Trust and Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a donor advised fund held at The London Community Foundation.

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