A Man for All Seasons - Arts Theatre
Grace Molony, Martin Shaw & Polly Kemp -
How does a man of integrity survive in the halls of power? Can you keep your convictions private once you are linked into the matrix of political survival.? And when your boss is Henry V111 how to keep your own self -respect under the pressure to go along with a dictatorial autocrat?. Top scholar and subtle lawyer Thomas Moore was knighted and known all over Europe for his philosophy Erasmus called him ‘ the Sophocles of England’. Martin Shaw played a soft spoken ( too soft initially) modest family man well known for his almost saintly devotion to God. But saints are not easy to live with .Wife Alice - Polly Kemp, -and beloved daughter Margaret- Grace Molony- expressed their anguish and frustration at Thomas More’s determination to make his stand .
Paul Kemp as The Common Man who opens and closes the play
As Lord Chancellor to the exuberant Henry V111 , Orlando James gives us a forceful but dynamic charming character . He showed all the verve of an unchallenged dictator – a party animal with a dark side, someone to be appeased at all points. He calls in on the family and flirts with lovely Margaret. But once contradicted the cheerful front turns into menace.
Martin Shaw in desperation towards the end of his life
Henry wants a divorce from his wife of 20 years Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn and thereby have the son he had decided has to be. Or does he just desire Anne who is holding out to be Queen and not a passing mistress (like her discarded sister Jane). Thomas More tries every way he can to avoid the issue. He is a brilliant lawyer. But an Act of Supremacy makes the King Head of the Church – and he demands all comply and agree. Thomas More cannot and after a dreadful year in dire conditions in the Tower, is tried and condemned to death, betrayed by a false testimony from wily Richard Rich, -Peter Losasso- an upstart , the narrator tells us is the only one of the cast to survive execution.
Asif Khan & Hari Kang- The Spanish Delegation
Thomas but Chris Larkin as the affable Duke of Norfolk brings nuance and well. Intentioned friendship to the dilemma. Nichloas Day brings out the self- satisfied Cardinal Wolsey unready to be ‘broken’ by Henry. Thomas Cromwell is a truly believable assured and ruthless Thomas Cromwell, no cruelty is too vile for his playbook. Hard to square this horrible but suave ambitious man with the fiction of Hilary’ Mantel’s affable account. His actions do not match her ‘ tell the other side’ evidence of a pitiless power-hungry operator – all brought out brilliantly by Sam Phillips. Asif Khan plays the Spanish Ambassador with a welcome spring in his step and a cunning mind to bring to the conflict of Church and State.As does Hari Kang as a springy smiley Mediterranean flunky, such a touch of light in a darkening scene. Sam Parks is the Archbishop of Canterbury calmly neutral and self -serving.
Paul Kemp dazzles with acting panache in the role of Common Man . He rsies laughs as the scene deteriorates for More and bounces around the stage to give the audience a breath of air.
Yet Martin Shaw is the warm but tough centre of the action . I asked my companion who he might resemble in the world today, one dominated bymerciless autocrats “ Alexei Navalny “came the reply. “ Someone so principled he sacrifices his life life ”
Orlando James as Henry V111
