Children learn more while they are having fun so the scripts and songs are geared as much toward entertainment, as historical accuracy. âThe Tudor Rose can be performed as a full musical production, a shortened assembly piece and being topic based, is easily adapted into an invaluable classroom teaching resource.
 
The Tudor Rose is set out as a musical play in two acts. A Narrator links the events in between sections giving an historical backdrop to each scene in the lives of these two great Tudor monarchs.Act 1 concerns the life and times of Henry VIII from his childhood until his death in 1547. The main events in his life are remembered by the ageing, bad tempered King in a series of flashbacks which are re-enacted through song including his triumphs at the Battle of the Spurs and in the Field of the cloth of gold. His long suffering jester and his last wife try to humour him in an attempt to survive his worsening moods haunted by the memory of his previous wives and associates.
 
Act 2 portrays the events leading up to the invasion of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The action is split between Spain and England as Elizabeth I, Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake plot to defeat Philip II and his chief naval commander Duke Medina Sidonia. Each act is preceded by a song leading up to the events of the story. All the songs can be sung by a separate choir while the action is self contained.
  This show has been done in a variety of ways including an out door pageant with tent and all! A CD of Backing Tacks and Vocals is available. Age Guide 7-11 Duration - About one hour The Tudor Rose The Tudor Rose is set out as a musical play in two acts. The narrations should be spoken. Act 1 concerns the life and times of Henry VIII from his childhood until his death in 1547. The main events in his life are remembered by the ageing King by a series of flashbacks which are re-enacted through song. His long suffering jester and his last wife, Catherine Parr humour him. Act 2 portrays the events leading up to the invasion of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The action is split between Spain and England as Elizabeth I, Lord Howard and Sir Francis Drake plot to defeat Philip II and his chief naval commander Duke Medina Sidonia. Each act is preceded by a song leading up to the events of the story. All the songs can be sung by a separate choir while the action is self contained. Please use your imagination! The Cast
Act 1
Henry VIII (As an old man)
Catherine Parr
Will Somers (The jester)
Henry (Aged 10, 22, 29 and 41)
Henry VII (His father)
Queen Elizabeth (His mother)
Catherine of Aragon
Four onlookers in the crowd.
Commentator (Like in football)
Thomas Wolsey (Archbishop)
Francis I (King of France)
Thomas More
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cromwell
Anne Boleyn,
Jane Seymour,
Anne of Cleves
Catherine Howard
Princess Mary (Aged 29)
Princess Elizabeth (Aged 22)
Prince Edward (Aged 9)
Act 2
Elizabeth I (Aged 55)
Philip II (Spanish King)
Sir Francis Drake. (English)
Duke of Medina Sidonia (Spanish navy)
Lord Howard (English commander)
Duke of Parma (Spanish army)
Spanish spy
English spy
William Cecil (Secretary of state)
Sir Walter Raleigh (English Explorer)
English messenger
Sir John Hawkins
Narrators (All narrated aloud).
Soldiers & sailors (Many and various).
Choir (can also be cast members .THE COMPOSERS 
GAWEN ROBINSON Gawen has written music for as long as he can care to recall (having composed around 300 songs before he was 14 on an old acoustic guitar given to him by his mother). Having experienced the rock music world for a number of years playing in several semi-successful bands he decided to concentrate on musical theatre (both acting and composing). His collaboration with lyricist Stephen Robertson has, over a number of years, produced The old curiosity shop and Notre Dame, both being large scale, sung through musicals (at present they are reworking the former). Gawen has also composed several, small scale children's book musicals based around historical topics covered in primary schools. He is looking forward to starting on a major new work sometime soon. |
