Bring up the Bodies - Aldwych Theatre

Bring up the Bodies book cover

I saw this in mid August, so this review is delayed. Bad me. I enjoyed this more than 'Wolf Hall', but I think that's more because I prefer the story of 'Bring up the Bodies' than because the production was significantly better.

I really didn't like the block-y metal decoration thing above the stage. I presume it was there specifically for these plays  - WHY, though? It went well with the concrete walls, but I wasn't keen on them, either. Concrete and the Tudor era just don't go well together.

Like 'Wolf Hall', 'Bring up the Bodies' was rushed and there wasn't a great deal of atmosphere. Thomas Cromwell wasn't sufficiently sagacious or in control. Some of his movements were frenetic and indicative of anxiety, which is not how Mantel's Cromwell should be. In the book he comes across as completely reliable, steady, unflappable and sure of himself. As well as a genius.

I liked the bit near the beginning where ghosts from Cromwell's past appeared, including his wife.

Regarding dramatic pauses, there was a decent dramatic pause during the interrogation of Mark Smeaton. Well done, 'Bring up the Bodies'. 

Jane Seymour was annoying. Sorry, but she was. In the book Jane Seymour is quite a complex character - she's quiet, apparently shy, doesn't really fit in at court, among her family, or with anyone else, and has an unexpected kind of sense of humour. In the play they've made her stupid. Which is a shame. Her put-on undulating voice was annoying.

Costumes again were wonderful. Jane Seymour's gown right at the end was particularly beautiful.

An indication of how good/impactful a production was is how much one thinks about it afterwards. I'm afraid I didn't think much about this one. For both productions, I felt that everything important was included, plotwise. The costumes were perfect. A lot of Mantel's dialogue was used. But...they lacked soul and genuine drama. Most of the main characters were two-dimensional and created through a very literal interpretation of Mantel's books. The plays somehow seemed a bit commercial rather than properly thought through.

Next: Julius Caesar

Wolf Hall - Aldwych Theatre

Wolf Hall book cover

I've read both Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies and was favourably impressed. They were gripping, intense, atmospheric, disturbing, unusual, authentic-sounding... 

Wolf Hall the play

was

not.

The costumes were wonderful. The script was very faithful to the book. The play contained all the important plot points. 

But. It was two-dimensional. It lacked tension, drama, a sense of impending doom. I found it difficult to become properly absorbed in it. I even almost fell asleep in the second half (!!!). I forced myself to stay awake because the costumes were so beautiful. I'm a sucker for swishing robes and English hoods. And because I'd paid £40 to see it.

I think one of the main problems was its pacing. It was too fast. Even a theatre novice like myself understands the importance of pausing in order to create dramatic tension. But there were very few pauses in the play. Lighting and sound effects could also have been employed to ratchet up the tension. There should have been more shadows for people to lurk in, and more people lurking in them. I felt that the producers/directors prized competence and basic faithfulness to the plot over trying to create the book's pressurized atmosphere.

Sir Timothy

The characters, again, were played competently and somewhat literally. Thomas Cromwell was a cockney (well, kind of), Anne Boleyn shouted a lot and Jane Seymour cowered in almost pantomimic fashion. One didn't get a sense of the depth of the characters. In addition, Thomas Cromwell didn't have much of a 'presence'. I tended to forget about him when he wasn't speaking. Which isn't right! Thomas Cromwell needs to have a strong, imposing, definite, slightly intimidating presence. It's true that how actors look doesn't necessarily matter - if they are good actors they'll make you believe in the character even if they don't look much like them - but I found it difficult to get beyond Ben Miles' refined looks. I think he's more suited to lord of the manor-type roles in period dramas.

I didn't like the concrete walls/columns surrounding the stage. Yes, I know it's modern and almost expected to have minimal scenery/props etc., but I found the concrete incongruous with a play set in Tudor times, in which the actors are wearing Tudor costumes.

In conclusion, my recent discovery that Boots no longer stocks Chapstick or Lypsyl gave me a much greater sense of tension and drama than this production.

Next: probably Round Two - Bring up the Bodies. Ding ding!