Lex-Ham Community Theater Shakespeare reading series: Henry VIII

Lex-Ham Community Theater
Shakespeare Reading Series
Henry VIII

The original title of Henry VIII was All Is True.

Truth is an important concept with the play.
Truth is quite often dependent on the person speaking.
Was the Duke of Buckingham 'truly' plotting against the King or were the Surveyor's comments made out of a bitter grudge?

Shakespearean scholars have debated for years as to who is the "true" author (or authors) of the play. Most believe the play was some type of collaboration between Shakespeare and John Fletcher and possibly Phillip Massinger.

One famous bit of trivia is that Henry VIII was playing when the Globe Theatre burned down on June 29, 1613 after the chambers are discharged in Act I, Scene iv.

Some good references for the play are:

The Story Text of the play SparkNotes summary of the play Britannia.com - Henry VIII	Background information Shakespeare and the Internet The reign of Henry VIII See paintings of Henry VIII
Sources Raphael Holinshead's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland.	Film Versions Henry VIII (1979) Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970)

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Last updated: 11/5/2006