A Man For All Seasons The Play - A Historical Recounting Of A Real Life Event

By Author: Al Terry
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A Man For All Seasons the play is based on the enthralling true story of Sir Thomas More, the English Chancellor and the dilemma he faces when his friend King Henry VIII plans to abandon the Catholic Church. Robert Bolt's play illustrates very well the mental turmoil More undergoes when King Henry VIII announces his decision to divorce Catherine of Aragon, his aging wife who was unable to bear him with a male heir. The King decides to marry Anne Boleyn, his former mistress's sister. In doing so, King Henry severs all ties with the Roman Catholic Church. When More is forced to take a decision between denouncing the King and supporting him, he takes the most provoking action of all and steps down. Sir Thomas More is later imprisoned and beheaded for treason when he refuses to acknowledge King Henry's oath of supremacy over the Church in England.

The Main Nuances In A Man For All Seasons The Play

The story of A Man For All Seasons the play is told through the character of the Common Man who both comments on and narrates the story that is unveiled gradually. The Common Man also appears in many other different positions ...
... throughout the play, initially as Sir Thomas More's servant and later as his guard in prison. In this context, A Man For All Seasons the play seems like a takeoff of the earlier Shakespearean historical dramas. The movie version avoided the entire character of the Common Man and created a story more on the lines of a documentary. However the Common Man is more or less the title character in the play that is present in nearly every scene, albeit in the background.

A Man For All Seasons the play carries the audience along on an emotional ride staring with scenes rich in comedy and then ending on a tragic note with the farewell of the married couple. The most touching scene of the play is when More's wife and daughter visit him in prison. Both Martin Shaw as Sir Thomas More and Alison Fiske as Lady Alice, his wife, portray an extremely touching climax. King Henry VIII makes only a single appearance in the early stages of the play when he visits the more household.

The Main Cast Of The Play

The cast has generally given a good performance in the play. Martin Shaw has taken on the role of Sir Thomas More and essayed it to perfection. He has proven to be a great ensemble actor and has emerged as the star of the show. Tony Bell's performance as the Common Man also is extremely captivating and witty. Daniel Flynn as the King, manages to create an impact though he appears in only one scene. Alison Fiske as More's wife, Paul Shelley as the illustrious
Duke of Norfolk and Sophie Shaw ( Martin Shaw's real-life daughter) as Margaret More put in commendable performances. With such performance, A Man For All Seasons the play promises a riveting evening , so do not forget to get your tickets delivered at home for an enjoyable show.
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