With words by Di Sherlock and music by Martin Bussey, Mary’s Hand is performed by solo mezzo-soprano Clare McCaldin and is scored for cello, trumpet and oboe/cor anglais.

Mary’s dress is a replica of the dress worn in her portrait by Hans Eworth (right), currently in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries of London. It was important that the dress and undergarments should be as historically accurate as possible in appearance and construction, while accommodating the additional requirements of ongoing performances. Our designers, Andie Scott & Sophie Meyer, preserved aspects of the portrait’s painterliness as well as employing modern construction techniques to enable the dress to function performatively within the action of the show. Key items of jewellery shown in the portrait image were also re-created.