Tudor Conversations in Modern Times

The latest play from Ava Pickett, 1536, has been making waves in London’s West End. Backed by Hollywood star Margot Robbie, this Tudor-set drama tackles the complexities of women’s lives during a tumultuous period in British history. The conversations these women have are eerily familiar – not just how relevant they are, but also how disconcertingly contemporary.

The play centers around three working-class women in Essex, struggling with fear, friendship, and a world becoming increasingly hostile towards women. Pickett wanted to create characters that aren’t superheroes or change-makers, but ordinary women experiencing the rising tide of misogyny. This ordinariness makes their conversations feel uncomfortably familiar.

As Robbie notes, “the conversations these women have are the same ones that women now are having.” This sense of continuity is both unsettling and reassuring: despite centuries of progress, many of our struggles remain the same. The conversations about violence against women, the anxieties shared with friends, the frustrations with a rigged system – all eerily reminiscent of today’s conversations.

Pickett aimed to wrench ordinary women out of the shadows and into the spotlight. By doing so, she shines a light on the lives of those who are often overlooked in historical accounts: working-class women living on the edge of society. Pickett notes that “a huge amount is learned about re-examining events and history through the female gaze, particularly women who weren’t of note.” This deliberate focus challenges us to rethink our understanding of the past – and perhaps even the present.

The play’s success is a testament to Pickett’s talent as a playwright. She has crafted characters that resonate with audiences today, making 1536 so compelling it humanizes the past and reminds us that our struggles are not unique to our time. Robbie notes, “I feel like I’m friends with these women and I know them.” This connection is what makes the play work – it shows us that our struggles are not just historical events, but ongoing conversations.

The play’s modernity is deliberate. Unlike many historical dramas that focus on royalty or court politics, 1536 zeroes in on the ordinary lives of women. This approach highlights how we’re still grappling with many of the same issues: gendered hypocrisy, slut-shaming, and the corrosive danger of misinformation and mob mentality.

The play balances humor and darkness effectively. Despite the darker themes running through 1536, both Pickett and Robbie emphasize the importance of humor in keeping the story engaging. This blend of levity and gravity makes the play thought-provoking – a true feat for any writer.

As we watch this play unfold on stage, we’re reminded that our conversations about women’s lives are not new – but they are ongoing. 1536 challenges us to rethink our understanding of history and to see ourselves in the women who came before us. It reminds us that, despite centuries of progress, many of our struggles remain the same.

The play opened at London’s Almeida theatre last year, but its impact will be felt for a long time to come. As we continue to navigate these complex conversations about women’s lives in the modern world, 1536 serves as a powerful reminder that our voices matter.