Candidates need to be over six feet tall with a large frame, a playing age between 40-50 and be able to grow a beard. They also need to live within an easy commute of Hampton Court Palace.
It’s already providing to be quite a task for Mark Wallace, Director of Past Pleasures Ltd, the live costumed interpretation and historical events company charged with finding the aged and portly Henrys.
“We’re always recruiting for all types of people,” he explained, “but with Henry, he’s like George Washington, he is such an iconic personality, it’s hard to find someone that fits the bill.”
The company, which supplies costumed interpreters for Hampton Court, Tower of London and other properties, have had young, middle aged and old Henrys on their books over the years. However the plan is that from March 1 2009, every visitor to Hampton Court Palace will be able to take part in the wedding of a decidedly ageing and grouchy Henry VIII and his last wife Catherine Parr.
The wedding will be part of Hampton Court’s celebrations marking the 500 years since Henry VIII took the throne in 1509.
“We already have one who is brilliant but obviously he can’t work every day of the year so we need two other old Henrys,” added Mr Wallace. “That’s what we’re going for – three teams headed up by an old, fat, grumpy Henry on his wedding day. They are not easy to find - as you can probably imagine.”
So far prospective Henrys of all shapes and sizes have been applying for the post but few of them have the necessary stature. One man even had a bigger girth than Henry’s ample 54 inch waist.
“Most people think of Henry being fat but they don’t think of him being tall and we obviously want to be as true as possible to the man and that’s why we want someone around six foot tall,” said Mr Wallace.
If you think you fit the bill, or more importantly, fit the trousers, you can get more details and an application form from Christine Tebbot on 01428 685755 or email: Christine.tebbot@pastpleasures.co.uk
