Water, Water, Everywhere and all of it caused by Witches!
Queen Anna of Denmark was born on the 12th of December 1574, which makes today the 450th anniversary of her birth.
Eva Griffith and a group of actors have been working towards a three-part series of her life as a teenager, marrying King James VI of Scotland by proxy at the age of 14, and the adventurous time she had of it becoming Queen Consort of Scotland. One day, all being well, we’ll get her to England where she became Queen Consort of England too.
Queen Anna became the patron of the actors at the Red Bull playhouse, Clerkenwell. And her time in Denmark and Scotland explains much about her time in England.
In the spirit of the main theme of the website, the series is entitled:
‘Water: The Story of Queen Anna of Denmark‘
Here she is where you can visit her for free in Room 4 on Floor 3 of the National Portrait Gallery, London. It is by John De Critz the Elder, it is oil on canvas, and was painted circa 1606-1608 (a few years after she arrived in England, becoming Queen Consort there).
NPG 6918 – that’s important. For we all have a number. And this is that of this portrait.
Here are some photographs of our last day recording the 3 pod-cast-y audio-files which will be available soon. Starring Guy Henry as James VI and John Sackville as Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell (not that one), this photograph was taken by Géraldine Chevalley, one of our Annas…
From Left to Right: David Hall (various inc. Will Kemp), Murray Simon (various inc. George Keith), Dr. Eva Griffith (a host of maids), Guy Henry (James VI). Taken by Géraldine Chevalley.
David, Murray, Géraldine and Guy.
Trala!