Aimie Atkinson is currently playing the role of Katherine Howard in the hit musical SIX at the Arts Theatre, after being part of the original cast and being featured on the cast album. Her other credits include Daniela in 'In The Heights' (Kings Cross Theatre) Serena in Legally Blonde (Kilworth House), Teresa in Blockbuster (UK Tour), Penny Lane in Carnaby Street the Musical (UK Tour) Shelby Stevens in Steel Pier (Union Theatre). Chloe in the Take That Musical Never Forget (UK Tour), Aimie originated the lead role of Luisa in Zorro the Musical (UK Tour), Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing (UK tour), Amber in Legacy Falls (Charing Cross Theatre), Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Brighton Theatre Royal) Sofia in Howard Goodhall's Days of Hope (Kings Head Theatre), Versuvio Vasace in Eurobeat and Polly Pry in Cannibal the Musical both at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Aimie is also the Winner of the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre award.
Tell us a bit about Katherine Howard’s Story.
Catherine Howard was the, fifth wife of Henry VIII. Her downfall came when Henry learned of her premarital affairs.When Catherine was 13 she supposedly had a relationship with Henry Mannox a music teacher; he was 23 at the time and she was but a child. In today’s landscape this would be considered rape. She was then sent away to live with her step grandmother who left all the girls in her household to their own devises. The men would unlock the girls rooms at night and pay them visits. There at her grandmother she had a brief affair with Francis Dereham, who had called her his wife; . After her marriage to Henry, she was accused of adultery with Thomas Culpepper one of the kings right hand men. It should be noted that Thomas was a known rapist and Murderer so all round great chap! It is also good to note that the king had the law changed and a bill was passed declaring it treason for an unchaste woman to marry the king. This signed her death warrant and she was beheaded without a trial or means to stand up for herself. Katherine Howard was a child when she was thrust into this male dominated world, she was just trying to survive and doing what she was told. She really didn’t have a choice in the situation.
What kind of research did you do to prepare for the role?
I did a lot of research for the role of K Howard. Her story is heartbreaking and quite difficult to learn much about. She is often looked over in most books and is abridged down to a brief paragraph. I took a lot of insight from the wonderful Gareth Russell’s book ‘Young Damned and fair’ Also ‘ Katherine Howard :Henry VIII’s slandered queen by Conor Byrne is fabulous.
