A masterclass from one of our most respected actors

REVIEW: 'A Man for all Seasons' at New Theatre, Cardiff

This new production of Robert Bolt's award-winning play set in Henry VIII's court remains as enthralling and impressive as when it was written, 60 years ago.

Martin Shaw excels as Sir Thomas More – scholar, ambassador, lord chancellor and friend of the king - whose stubborn commitment to his conscience leads him and his family into conflict with the state. And it's a conflict he could never win.

This is a fabulous central performance, capturing the calm confidence of a man who has no doubts about the stand he must take, when he believes his king is defying God's law.

It's because Henry wants a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, so he can marry Anne Boleyn, in the hope she will bear him a son. And it means Sir Thomas finds himself forced to choose between his loyalty to the crown and his conscience.

Shaw commands the stage, not with bluster and big gestures, but with a quiet authority. It's an absolute masterclass from one of our most respected actors - all the more impressive because, incredibly, he is now in his 80s.

It's hard to believe it was almost half a century ago that he gained stardom in TV's The Professionals. He managed to shake off that 1970s tough-guy image, which he famously despised, and has been a familiar presence in more cerebral roles on screen and stage since then.

His performance here is outstanding and the play revolves around his character, but this is no one-man show. Far from it. There's an impressive cast, who don't put a foot wrong: Huw Brentnall, Nicholas Day, Orlando James, Hari Kang, Asif Khan, Paul Kemp, Polly Kemp, Chris Larkin, Peter Losasso, Grace Molony, Sam Parks, Sam Phillips, Xavier Starr, Hilary Tones, Adela Hernandez Derbyshire, Mark Kitto.

The versatile set design by Simon Higlett is equally impressive, complimented by the lighting by Mark Hen and sound design by Paul Groothuis, which transform the stage from various domestic and stately interiors to a garden, a river, and a cell in the Tower of London.

Director Jonathan Church, who also directed Shaw in Hobson’s Choice, ensures the audience is constantly enthralled.

And that's quite an achievement for a story which is essentially people talking about philosophy, religion, and the law!

It's a story involving the most influential and powerful figures in English society some 500 years ago.

But we're led through it all by The Common Man (Paul Kemp), who addresses the audience directly, explains who's who and what's what, in his various roles as steward, boatman, jailer, and more. He also provides some comic relief along the way.

If you've read or seen the TV production of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, which saw this episode and more through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, this play gives an interesting alternative perspective on a hugely significant moment in British history.

But A Man for All Seasons is much more than that.

This is a gripping story, which raises important and far-reaching questions. It's a rare chance to see one of our great actors in superb form. And, above all, it's a thoroughly memorable and entertaining night at the theatre.

A Man for all Seasons opened at the New Theatre last night (Tuesday) and runs until Saturday (10 October). Tickets are available from the box office on 0343 310 0041 or online here.

Review by Andy Weltch

Photos by Simon Annand

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review