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A Man for All Seasons

Written by Robert Bolt

Monday 17th March to Saturday 22nd March 1975

Produced and Directed by Tim Mahoney

"More is a man of an angel's wit and singular learning. I know not his fellow. For where is the man of that gentleness, lowliness and affability? And, as time requireth, a man of marvellous mirth and pastimes, and sometime of as sad gravity. A man for all seasons."

author play bench production

AuthorRobert Bolt

Robert Bolt CBE (1924 - 1995)

Although as a playwright, he was best known for his original play 'A Man for All Seasons' which won awards on the stage and in its film version, most of Bolt's writing was screenplays for films or television. He was known for dramatic works that placed their protagonists in tension with the prevailing society a scenario he developed in his existential script for 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

As a screen writer, Bolt won two Oscars and two BAFTA Awards for 'Doctor Zhivago' and 'A Man for All Seasons', and was nominated for several others.

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PlayA Man for All Seasons

This play was first performed in 1960 and was subsequently made into films for both the large and small screen. The plot is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor who refuses to endorse King Henry VIII's wish to divorce his ageing wife Catherine of Arragon. Catherine of Arragon could not bear Henry a son so he wanted to get rid of her, and marry Anne Boleyn. The play portrays More as a man of principle, envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell and loved by the common people and by his family.

The title reflects 20th century agnostic playwright Robert Bolt's portrayal of More as the ultimate man of conscience. As one who remains true to himself and his beliefs under all circumstances and at all times, despite external pressure or influence, More represents "a man for all seasons". Bolt borrowed the title from Robert Whittington, a contemporary of More, who in 1520 wrote the quote we see above.

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The Bench Production

A Man for All Seasons poster image

This play was staged under Bench Theatre's original company name of Theatre Union, at their theatre in West Street. It was actually the building in West Street, Havant where most of the Company's early plays were staged, which was called the Bench Theatre (after its prior use as a magistrates' court). The company's name was changed gradually by word of mouth and general usage between the years 1973 - 1977 when reviewers, and then members themselves, gradually stopped referring to Theatre Union and started calling the company of players 'Bench Theatre'. The new Company name of Bench Theatre was adopted in to all the promotional literature after they moved from the old theatre (which had been their home for nearly 7 years) in to the Old Town Hall building in East Street.

Cast

The Common ManDavid Spackman
Thomas MoreTony Starr
Richard RichPeter Duncan
The DukeIan Nelson
Alice MoreSharon Rose
Margaret MoreJill Morris
The CardinalJohn Scadding
Thomas CranwellDavid Lings
The AmbassadorDerek Cusdin
His AttendantKatriona McHugh
William RoperSpokey Wheeler
The KingPeter Corrigan
A womanHazel Rhymes
The ArchbishopBrian Montefiore

Crew

Director Tim Mahoney
Stage Manager Peter Holding
Assistant Stage Manager Brian Sweatman
Assistant Stage Manager William Palmer
Posters and Set David Lings
Costumes Jenny Jones
Music and Sound Effects David Spackman
Makeup Ingrid Caddy
Makeup Benita Oakley
Makeup Julie Morgan

Director's Notes

The background to Henry VIII's quarrel with the church and Thomas More's involvement is too well-known to require repetition in these notes. More's victory in death, indeed the whole conception of total individual sacrifice is something we have found great trouble in understanding. More is reputed to have joked with his executioner, and, when Cranmer doubts Thomas' entry into Paradise, he says "God will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to Him". I think it is this absolute conviction of heavenly reward for right behaviour and the conviction of a dreadful hell awaiting all heretics that we have found so difficult to fully accept and therefore to portray. Many theatre-goers have seen Bolt's play, either in the film version or on stage; we hope that you'll be happy with our presentation.

Tim Mahoney

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Production Photographs

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