Gret and Will

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Drama on 4: Gret and Will

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Gret and Will

Gret rises to stardom at the Tudor court as Anne Boleyn’s Fool. But is her life in danger?

Gret rises to greatness as Anne Boleyn’s court Fool, befriending Will Somer, jester to the king, who becomes desperate to help her survive the impending doom of her patroness.

In this gripping and funny new drama, we witness life inside the Tudor court of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, as experienced by some of the period’s most charismatic figures - their Fools.

Gret, saved from the streets by her direct humour and charisma, enters the employ of the next Queen. In a strange new world of royalty she meets Will, the Jester of the King, who teaches her about the dangerous role they must inhabit - one demanding the courage to speak truth to power and the wisdom to avoid getting killed for it.

As their relationship deepens, Gret is faced with the fact that Anne’s rise cannot last, and that her fall could drag Gret down with her. Will urges her to do what is necessary to survive, and Gret must choose between betraying the Queen who gave her everything or losing it all. 

This new play explores what it means to be a paid to entertain, the limits of loyalty, and how we work out who our real friends are. 

BBC Audio Award-winning writer Elizabeth Kuti opens up new realms of possibility, exploring the widely held theory that the Fools of the Tudor court were some of the most famous, powerful and enigmatic neuro-divergent people in history.

Showcasing two of Britain’s great neuro-divergent actors, Sarah Gordy stars as Gret alongside Jack Morris as Will, in director Tim Hoare’s radio debut.

Cast:
Gret ..... ........................Sarah Gordy
Will ................................ Jack Morris
Anne Boleyn.................Sara Markland

Written by Elizabeth Kuti
Directed by Tim Hoare
Produced by Celia de Wolff
Sound Design by  David Thomas
Broadcast Assistant:  Nina Semple
Production Manager:  Sarah Wright

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

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