BURN
Illustration by Elodie Tweedie
Written by Lucy Beresford-Knox
In a dank cell, ‘Bloody’ Queen Mary I, the first woman to wear the English crown, meets the Archbishop she has condemned to burn at the stake, and tells her story... over a high stakes game of chess.
A failed monarch, a delusional mad-woman unfit to rule, a historical Bad Thing. Bloody Mary is a Queen vilified in history. Thomas Cranmer is a man of God, a deep thinker and royal adviser, a historical martyr. But what of the woman behind the bloody reputation? What of the man behind the martyr?
BURN is a defiant, feminist retelling of Queen Mary I, a famous historical villain, ready to confront her own reputation.
BURN premiered to sold out audiences at Vault Festival (the Pit) in February 2023.
The original cast and production team reunited to restage BURN at the Guildford Fringe (The Back Room of the Star Inn) in July 2023.
Credits
Produced by Lucy Beresford-Knox & Burnt Flamingo Productions
Written by Lucy Beresford-Knox
Cast
Queen Mary I Frankie Hyde-Peace
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer Kelvin Giles
Creative & Production
Director Sophie Wilson
Technical Stage Manager Kirsty Yeung
Original Artwork Elodie Tweedie
Set Construction Ted Beresford-Knox
Production Images
Images credit: Burnt Paper Productions
Reviews
All that Dazzles
Sam Waite | 27 February 2023
Kelvin Giles, as Cranmer, is a bold and effective actor. Hyde-Peace carries out the delicate act of having to present both a delicate, fragile woman who has been hurt many times and in many ways, and also a ferocious, relentless ruler who caused widespread misery on a scale still remembered today. Hyde-Peace’s raw, barely contained emotions are [...] captivating, particularly in her final, incendiary moments.
Performed and written so well that my only complaint was wanting more, Burn is a standout of my experiences at the Vault Festival so far, and I truly hope to see more from both this show and it's small, incredibly talented team.
Broadway Baby
Richard Beck | 1 March 2023
Beresford-Knox’s script captures the gravitas of the situation, is immersed in history, without being didactic, and captures the humanity of two people raised to positions they must defend, but who are otherwise ordinary people with the same feelings and emotions as the peasants on the street and Director Sophie Wilson gives these full reign. There is no hint of the simplicity that would come from creating a good guy and bad guy, but rather of teamwork that has created a production that is delicately nuanced, finely balanced and completely captivating. This is Beresford-Knox’s debut play and it marks an outstanding entry into the world of script-writing.
Fringebiscuit
10 March 2023
[M]agnetic performances & minimal, yet highly effective stagecraft [... a]transfixing two-hander about Queen Mary reconsiders contemporary & later records.
Broadway World
Cindy Marcolina | 25 February 2023
Beresford-Knox introduces a cunning monarch with a steely gaze and flawless posture. Portrayed by Frankie Hyde-Peace in a magnificent performance, Mary owns a regal poise. She rarely explodes, but when she does, it's with composure and intention. Joined by Kelvin Giles as the Archbishop, she boasts her cruelty while he grovels. [...] An elegant script makes it a sophisticated two-hander.