The first casting has been revealed for the West End transfer of 1536, Ava Pickett’s acclaimed new play.
Originally staged last year at the Almeida Theatre, 1536 is coming to the West End for a strictly limited season at the Ambassadors Theatre from 2 May to 1 August 2026.
Directed by Lyndsey Turner (The Witches, The Crucible, Chimerica), the play will star the three leads from the Almeida run.
Reprising their roles are Liv Hill (Film Club, Miss Austen) as Jane, Siena Kelly (Adult Material, A Doll’s House) as Anna, and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education, The Seagull) as Mariella.
Further casting is to be announced soon.
1536 at the Almeida Theatre London. Photo by Helen Murray
Quick Take: It’s great news that Liv Hill, Siena Kelly and Tanya Reynolds are back together to reprise their acclaimed performances in 1536. Especially as the three actresses are in demand at the moment, following Liv’s recent performance in Film Club, Siena’s role in much-talked-about Black Mirror episode Bête Noir, and Tanya Reynolds’ continued ascendancy after Sex Education. No less in demand is the writer Ava Pickett, who is currently working with Baz Luhrmann on his new Joan of Arc movie.
Sonia Friedman is co-producing the West End transfer of 1536 with Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap. The show is also co-produced with the Almeida and Annapurna Theatre.
“At LuckyChap, we’re always drawn to bold, female-driven stories, and Ava’s brilliant play is exactly that. We’re absolutely thrilled to be coming on board as co-producers for its West End transfer. The show is fearless, witty and emotionally resonant, and it gives voice to women whose stories still feel timely today. Bringing 1536 to the West End is an incredibly exciting next chapter, and we’re honoured to help champion this phenomenal piece of art.” – MARGOT ROBBIE
Set in Tudor England, 1536 centres on three women who hurry to their childhood meeting place, thirsty for gossip from London. Word spreads of a clash between King Henry VIII and his Queen, Anne Boleyn. And closer to home, another rumour begins to catch fire. As these women begin to see echoes of the royal drama in their own rural lives, a tide of violence threatens their very existence, and they realise the royal scandal could cost them everything.
1536 Reviews & Awards
- The show enjoyed rave reviews from the critics when it premiered at the Almeida, including ★★★★★ “Funny, saucy, and totally gripping” from the Daily Mail, and four-star reviews from the Standard, TimeOut, Stage, FT and more.
- Ava Pickett won the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2024 for the play.
- Ava also picked up awards for Best Writer at the 2025 Stage Debut Awards, and a special commendation from The George Devine Awards.
- She is currently co-writing Baz Luhrmann’s Jehanne d’Arc film alongside the director.
Plan your trip to 1536
- Theatre: Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London
- Booking dates: 2 May to 1 August 2026
- Performance schedule: Monday to Saturday evenings and Wednesday & Saturday matinees
- Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes (no interval)
- Age range: Recommended for ages 15+
- View live availability for 1536 tickets here >
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