Katharine of Aragon
Behind the History: Reclaiming the Story of Katharine of Aragon at HAHC
Another show made right here at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre is heading out on a national tour! And it is doubly good news, as this particular project is going to premiere at St Nicholas Church, right here in Harwich.
We got a sneak preview of the project during the festival when Clacton-born playwright Nicola Werenowska and producer Matthew Linley talked about the work—but NOW tickets are officially on sale from our website (of course!) BUY NOW
What to Expect: A Feast for the Senses
This isn’t your typical sit-in-your-seat theatre production. Instead, KATHARINE is an innovative hybrid performance: part live show, part guided tour, and part immersive audio experience.
Created by Slaget Theatre in association with Whispered Tales, the production completely upends the traditional Tudor narrative. By blending cutting-edge binaural audio technology, contemporary dance, and site-specific storytelling, it breathes fresh, vital life into the story of Henry VIII’s first, and perhaps most misunderstood, wife.
As an audience member, you don’t just watch the performance—you step directly into it. Guided on a journey through (in our case) the stunning architecture of St Nicholas Church, you’ll wear headphones that immerse you in a deeply personal, atmospheric soundscape, placing you right inside Katharine’s inner world and memories. All the while, performer Olena Hrabchak drifts through the space as an ethereal figure, weaving live choreography that responds directly to the history and unique atmosphere around you.
Why This Story, and Why Now?
Marking the 500th anniversary of the ‘King’s Great Matter,’ KATHARINE steps away from the textbooks to examine history through the Queen’s own perspective.
Playwright Nicola Werenowska (The Secret Garden for Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Ghost Stories for Hightide and the Globe) shares why this project means so much:
“I wanted to move past the history to her story, to reclaim her narrative from a vital and fresh female perspective… The more we explored, the more we found how deeply her struggles as a migrant and political figure 500 years ago echo the upheavals and societal challenges we face in today’s world.”
Strict Limited Capacity – Book Your Tickets Now!
Appropriately for a show made right here in Harwich, the national tour officially launches on our doorstep before heading off to both Chester and Peterborough Cathedrals.
Because of the intimate nature of the headphone experience, tickets are strictly limited.
● Venue: St Nicholas Church, Harwich
● Dates: Friday 16th & Saturday 17th October 2026
● Tickets: All tickets are just £6 including booking fee
● Capacity: Only 6 performances total, with just 30 spaces per performance! Click here to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment!
Free Pop-Up Experiences in Our Libraries!
You won’t have to wait until October to get a taste of the project. KATHARINE will be popping up across libraries in Tendring and North Essex throughout September.
And we’ll do a separate post about those library pop ups when dates are confirmed
Proudly Supported by Arts Council England
It’s not just us who are proud of having another show made here at Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre, but its also fantastic that the project is getting the support of Arts Council England (thanks to National Lottery players everywhere.
Here’s what Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director of Arts Council England, had to say:
“We are pleased to invest in this innovative reimagining of Katharine’s story. It is brilliant to see high-quality creative work, rooted in Tendring one of our Priority Places, reaching such a diverse mix of local spaces—from our historic cathedrals to libraries at the heart of communities in North Essex and Suffolk.”
So what you waiting for – get booking to see KATHARINE first ever public performances right here in HARWICH at the beautiful St Nicholas Church. And do find out more at the project website HOME | Katharine
