A groundbreaking immersive audio theatre production, 'Katharine', is set to tour cathedrals and libraries across the UK, bringing the story of Henry VIII's first wife to life through 3D headphone sound technology, contemporary dance, and live performance. The multidisciplinary work, created by writer Nicola Werenowska and director Esther Simpson, offers audiences a unique perspective directly from the former queen's point of view, with site-specific staging adapted for each historic venue.
Reclaiming Katharine of Aragon's Narrative
Werenowska explained her motivation: 'I've long been fascinated by the stories of real women, women who history has the tendency to erase or reduce to a mere footnote. Henry VIII's first wife, Katharine of Aragon, is one such woman.' The writer added that she wanted to move 'past the history to her story, to reclaim her narrative from a vital and fresh female perspective' and explore her memories directly so that 'her resilience, faith, and defiance feel immediate.'
The production also draws parallels to contemporary issues, as Werenowska noted: '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.'
Funding and Tour Details
Supported by £70,340 in National Lottery funding from Arts Council England, the project will tour select UK cathedrals and libraries from September 1, 2026 to January 23, 2027. Alongside the cathedral tour, free library pop-up events will take place across Essex and Suffolk, featuring soundtrack extracts and audio stories about Katharine's commitment to women's education.
Immersive Technology and Venues
The production combines a live performer with binaural audio technology, creating an atmospheric soundscape that uses the historic walls of each venue. Director Esther Simpson said: 'When Nicky and I first started exploring working together, it was the story of Katharine of Aragon which excited us both. We wanted to create a theatrical experience that breaks out of conventional auditoriums to inhabit spaces steeped in history and community life.'
She continued: 'By blending a live performer with cutting-edge binaural audio technology, we are turning historical walls into an atmospheric soundscape where audiences don't just watch her story—they find themselves immersed in it. To perform Katharine in settings like cathedrals, castles, and local community libraries allows us to intimately connect today's world with her world. It's an incredibly moving way to explore power, betrayal, and erasure, inviting the audience to stand up close to herstory.'
Ticket Information
Free library pop-ups require ticket booking, with details available online. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.thekatharineproject.com. The tour promises a powerful reclamation of a historical figure often reduced to a footnote, using modern technology to make her story immediate and relevant.
