Wolf Hall

I have always felt an infinity with the Tudors especially a creepy feeling for Henry Vlll! Maybe I was a subject  in those days! This production by Hilary Mantel  brought to the stage by Gallery Players certainly took on the period. A huge cast brought the era to Ipswich. A  lively King Henry was played by Michael Cook  who took the part with expertise . A creepy Cardinal Wolsey was Phil Corey who looked suspiciously like the original!   There were excellent performances from all the cast and Steve Taplin certainly ‘took the biscuit as Thomas Cromwell and who never went off stage for  nearly the whole piece, delivering his lines with feeling.  Lorena Cenci was an excellent Queen Katherine with a good Spanish accent, despite her Italian background! Anne Boleyn was well cast in  Charlotte Curtis, unaware of what the future would hold!  There were some excellent interludes by Sam Brown as Mark Seaton who played a mean lute!  Steve Wooldridge caught the character of Sir Thomas More who went from riches to rags.

There was an excellent chorus of ladies who caught the era well, especially in the period choreography by Stephanie Brown. Costumes were good and the ladies carried themselves  well.There were quite a few black dresses, which in those days  were mainly colourful, due to the fact that the materials were dyed from various fruits.

This was an excellent production and  despite the small area they had to work in the set was good and  was moved quickly and well at all times.

A most enjoyable evening well done to all.

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