About the Play:

The Last Wife is a full-length drama by Kate Hennig. This contemporary re-imagining of the compelling relationship between Henry VIII and his last wife, Katherine Parr, is a witty and powerful examination of sexual politics and women's rights. It's a dangerous game of chess, with Henry's offspring, Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward as pawns.

The Last Wife examines the dangerous sparring between King Henry VIII and his last wife, Katherine Parr, during a very complex and bloody time in English history. Kate Parr is smart, confident, and passionate: a rising star in a world of intense competition. But her obligatory marriage to Henry is rife with the threat of violence and the lure of deceit; her secret liaisons with Thom, her husband's former brother-in-law, could send her to an early grave; and her devotion to the education and equal rights of Henry's daughters is putting an even bigger strain on her marriage. Does Kate risk her life to gain authority in both her relationship and her political career? Which love will she be led to if she follows her heart? And what kind of future is there for her children if she makes a crucial mistake? The Last Wife played to sold out audiences during its world premiere and subsequently led Kate Hennig to write The Virgin Trial and Mother's Daughter, thereby creating the Queenmaker Trilogy.

The Last Wife premiered in 2015 at the Studio Theatre and enjoyed a completely sold-out and extended run during the Stratford Festival. Since then the play had regional premieres at professional theatres across North America, including the US premiere in 2016 at TimeLine Theatre in Chicago, and has been performed in college theatre productions as a showcase of student talent.

Cast: 3 women, 3 men

What people say:

"...a very smart piece of writing...." — Chicago Tribune

"…wit, intelligence, power and compassion…a superb play." — Toronto Star

"...racy, in the sense of both pungency and speed...." — National Post

"…lively…contemporary…unapologetic." — Globe and Mail

"a riveting meditation on power, family, intimacy…sexual politics and women's rights." — Ottawa Citizen

"an audacious, clever play." — Victoria Times-Colonist

About the Playwright:

Kate Hennig is a Canadian actor, writer and teacher. Born in England, and raised in Alberta, she is a diverse, multi-award-winning theatre artist, with over thirty years of professional experience as a performer, including seasons on Broadway, with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and with both the Shaw and Stratford Festivals.