Duration
2 hrs
Closing Date
Until August 1, 2026
Age limit
Suitable for 14+ yrs
Why Watch 1536?
- Ava Pickett’s Tudor drama follows three Essex women caught in 1536’s rising tensions, blending royal scandal with personal stakes in a sharp, modern West End transfer.
- Ava Pickett won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and Stage Debut Award for this play, directed by Lyndsey Turner, whose past work includes The Crucible at the National Theatre.
- Expect themes of loyalty, fear, and shifting power to be shaped through tight rural scenes, detailed design by Max Jones, and movement direction that heightens emotional tension.
- Following its acclaimed run at the Almeida Theatre, praised as “funny, saucy, gripping” (The Daily Mail), the play now arrives at the Ambassadors Theatre. Book your 1536 London tickets!
The 1536 play explores Tudor turmoil from the viewpoint of three rural Essex women whose lives shift as Anne Boleyn’s downfall unsettles the country. Ava Pickett’s script, which won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and Best Writer at the Stage Debut Awards, blends personal danger with national tension in a sharp, contemporary voice. Directed by Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible), the production builds on its critically acclaimed Almeida Theatre premiere, praised for its wit and emotional depth. This West End run highlights how private loyalties and public power collide during one of Tudor England’s most volatile years.
Storyline
Set in Tudor England, the narrative follows three rural women who reunite as rumours spread of Anne Boleyn’s downfall and the king’s shifting favour. Their quiet Essex field becomes a crossroads of fear, loyalty, and uneasy truth as London’s political storms seep into their lives. As gossip sharpens into a threat, each must consider what safety means in a world where royal decisions ripple outward. The real question becomes, how far will they go when survival demands difficult choices?
Show timings
Show timings for 1536 may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Director: Lyndsey Turner
Writer: Ava Pickett
Designer: Max Jones
Lighting designer: Jack Knowles
Lighting concept collaborator: Tim Lutkin
Sound designer: Tingying Dong
Composer & arranger: Will Stuart
Movement & intimacy director: Anna Morrissey
Fight director: Sam Lyon-Behan
Assistant director: Taiwo Ava Oyebola
Age Suitability
This show is suitable for ages 14 years and above.
Content warning: The production contains strong language, violence, and explicit content.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Most theaters are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
Ambassadors Theatre
The Ambassadors Theatre, formerly the New Ambassadors Theatre, located on West Street opened on 5th June 1913. It is one of the smallest of the West End theatres that also presented Deburau in 1921. Britain's longest-running production The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie opened at The Ambassadors on 25th November 1952 and played here until its 21st Birthday in 1974. On 4 April 2007, the venue was sold to Stephen Waley-Cohen, who renamed the venue The Ambassadors as it once was, and began an extensive renovation program. Seating Capacity: 444 Ambassadors Theatre Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: West St, London WC2H 9ND, UK
- By metro:
Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is the closest tube station to the theatre
- By train:
Leicester Square Underground is the closest tube station and Charing Cross is the closest mainline station.
- By bus:
Bus routes servicing the area include 14, 19, 24, 29, 38 or 176
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Cloak room, Toilets
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive an email with your 1536 voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid Photo Id for identification.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of the tickets starts from £31.25 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 14 years and above. The production contains strong language, violence, and explicit content.
The show is playing at the Ambassadors Theatre in London.
It follows three Essex women whose lives shift as rumours about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn spread, exploring how national upheaval filters into ordinary homes.
The drama references real events from the year 1536, including the downfall of Anne Boleyn, but focuses on fictional characters shaped by the period’s unrest.
It references Tudor brutality but avoids graphic staging. The focus remains on emotional fallout, not reenactments.
Power, fear, gender, survival, political rumour, and how ordinary people navigate systems built to control them.
It blends Tudor influence with a modern theatrical aesthetic, reflecting both historical roots and contemporary voice.
