A Man for All Seasons is a play by Robert Bolt. An early form of the play had been written for BBC Radio in 1954, but after Bolt's success with The Flowering Cherry, he reworked it for the stage. A Man for All Seasons is a 1960 play by Robert Bolt. ... Robert Oxton Bolt (August 15, 1924 – February 12, 1995) was an English playwright and screenwriter. ... BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. ...

It was first performed in London opening at the Globe Theatre (now called the Gielgud Theatre) on July 1, 1960. It later found its way to Broadway, enjoying a critically and commercially successful run of over a year. It has had several revivals, and was subsequently made into a feature film and a television movie. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Schillers Don Carlos starring Derek Jacobi as Philip II of Spain at the Gielgud Theatre, February 2005 The Gielgud Theatre, named after British actor John Gielgud, is a West End theatre in Londons Shaftesbury Avenue at the corner of Rupert Street. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ...

The plot is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who refuses to endorse or denounce King Henry VIII's wish to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon, who could not bear him a son, so that he could marry the sister of his mistress, 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. For the numerous educational institutions, see Thomas More College. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor and prior to the Union the Chancellor of England and the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom, and its predecessor states. ... “Henry VIII” redirects here. ... Katherine of Aragon (Alcalá de Henares, 16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536), Castilian Infanta Catalina de Aragón y Castilla, also known popularly after her time as Catherine of Aragon, was the first wife and Queen Consort of Henry VIII of England. ... Thomas Cromwell: detail from a portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532-3 Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex ( 1485 - July 28, 1540) was an English statesman, one of the most important political figures of the reign of Henry VIII of England. ...

Themes

Bolt himself was an agnostic and a socialist, and thus he presumably admired More not because he identified with More's religious beliefs, but rather with his refusal to bend to the will of the king. The term agnosticism and the related agnostic were coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869. ... Socialism is a social and economic system (or the political philosophy advocating such a system) in which the economic means of production are owned and controlled collectively by the people. ...

A Man for All Seasons struggles with ideas of identity and conscience. More argues repeatedly that a person is defined by his conscience. His own position is depicted as almost indefensible; the Pope is described as a "bad" and corrupt individual, forced by the Emperor to act according to his will. But as More says to Norfolk, "What matters is not that it's true, but that I believe it; or no, not that I believe it, but that I believe it." More fears that if he breaks with his conscience, he will be damned to hell, while his associates and friends are more concerned with holding onto their own temporal power. For the antipope (1378–1394) see antipope Clement VII and other Popes named Clement see Pope Clement. ... For the Carlist claimant King Carlos V, see Infante Carlos, Count of Molina. ...

At another key point of the play, More testifies before an inquiry committee and Norfolk attempts to persuade him to sign the Act of Succession: Never Happened. ...

"Norfolk: Look, I'm not a scholar, and frankly I don't know whether the marriage was lawful or not — but Thomas, look at these names! You know these men! Can't you do as I did and come along with us for fellowship?

More: And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come along with me — for fellowship?"

More's persecution is made to seem even more unjust by the inclusion of Eustace Chapuys, the long-time Spanish ambassador to England, into the story. Chapuys recognizes More as a stout man of the church, and in Act II, after More's resignation from the Chancellorship, he informs More of a planned rebellion along the Scottish border, expecting More to be sympathetic. Instead, More informs Norfolk of the plot, showing him to be patriotic and loyal to the King. This, along with More's refusal to actually speak out against the King, shows him to be a loyal subject, and thus Cromwell appears to prosecute him out of personal spite and because he disagrees with the King's divorce. Eustace Chapuys (1491?-1545) served as the Imperial Ambassador to England (1529-45) and is best known for his extensive and detailed correspondence. ...

Bolt also establishes an anti-authoritarian theme which recurs throughout his works. All people in positions of power — King Henry, Cromwell, Wolsey, Cranmer, Chapuys, even Norfolk — are depicted as being either corrupt, evil, or at best expedient and power-hungry. Bolt's later plays and film screenplays also delve into this theme. The theme of corruption is also illustrated, in Rich's rise to power, the Common Man being drawn into the events of the storyline, and in the (deliberately) anachronistic portrayal of Henry as a younger, athletic man (in 1530 he would have been in his forties and already putting on weight).

Some historians and critics have criticized the play's portrayal of More as a saintly character, noting that Bolt excises mentions of More's more negative activities, such as his campaign against William Tyndale and his persecution of Lutherans while serving as Chancellor. The depictions of Thomas Cromwell, the Duke of Norfolk, and Richard Rich are also historically suspect. (Also, in real life More had three paternal daughters, a son, and an adoptive daughter, but only his eldest, Margaret, appears in the play.) Bolt's decision to portray More through his relations with family and friends, and not the broader political context of the time period, has also been criticized. William Tyndale (sometimes spelled Tyndale,Tindall or Tyndall) (ca. ... Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk by Hans Holbein. ... Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich (1490? - June 12, 1567), was Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Edward VI of England. ...

The character of the Common Man serves as a narrator and framing device. A Brechtian character, he plays various small parts — More's servant, a publican, a boatman, More's jailer, jury foreman and executioner — who appear throughout the play, both taking part in and commenting on the action. Several sequences involving this character break the fourth wall — most notably, a sequence where the Common Man attempts to exit the stage and is addressed by Cromwell, who identifies him as a jury foreman. (Indeed, the "jury" consists of sticks or poles with the hats of the Common Man's various characters put on top.) Bolt created the Common Man for two main reasons: to illustrate the place and influence of the average person in history, even though they are usually overlooked, and to try and prevent the audience from sympathizing with the more titled characters such as More, realizing that the audience is more closely related to him – a classic case of Brechtian alienation, designed to prevent the audience from being too engrossed in More's plight. The character's role in the story has been interpreted in many different ways by different critics, from being a positive to a negative character. Many of Bolt's subsequent works featured similar characters. For information on the German author, please see Bertolt Brecht. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The alienation effect (from the German Verfremdungseffekt) is a theatrical and cinematic device which prevents the audience from losing itself passively and completely in the character created by the actor, and which consequently leads the audience to be a consciously critical observer. ...

Stage productions

Paul Scofield, who played the leading role in the West End premiere, reprised it on Broadway in 1962, winning a Tony Award. David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (born 21 January 1922) is a British actor who was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... What is popularly called the Tony Award (formally, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre) is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including musical theater, primarily honoring productions on Broadway in New York. ...

The play was first performed on Broadway on November 22, 1961 at the ANTA Playhouse For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The August Wilson Theatre on August 30, 2006 The August Wilson Theatre, located at 245 West 52nd Street in New York City, is a legitimate Broadway theatre. ...

Original Broadway Cast

• The Common Man- George Rose
• Sir Thomas More- Paul Scofield
• The Duke of Norfolk- Albert Dekker
• Thomas Cromwell- Leo McKern (later Thomas Gomez)
• King Henry VIII- Keith Baxter
• Margaret More- Olga Bellin
• William Roper- Peter Brandon
• The Woman- Sarah Burton
• Attendant- John Colenback
• Thomas Cardinal Wolsey- Jack Creley
• Alice More- Carol Goodner
• Thomas Cranmer- Lester Rawlins
• Richard Rich- William Redfield
• Signor Chapuys- David J. Stewart

Leo McKern played the Common Man in the West End version of the show, but was shifted to the role of Cromwell for the Broadway production - a role he later reprised in the film. While playing Cromwell, he appeared with one brown and one blue eye (McKern of course had lost an eye in accident and wore a glass one) to accentuate his character's evil nature. George Rose (19 February 1920 - 5 May 1988) was a noted British music hall star. ... Portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478–6 July 1535), posthumously known also as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, author, and politician. ... David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (born 21 January 1922) is a British actor who was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. ... Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk by Hans Holbein. ... Albert Pekker (born December 20, 1905 in Brooklyn, New York; died May 5, 1968 in Hollywood, California) is an American character actor. ... Thomas Cromwell: detail from a portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532-3 Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex ( 1485 - July 28, 1540) was an English statesman, one of the most important political figures of the reign of Henry VIII of England. ... Image:Number Two. ... Gomez publicity photo Thomas Gomez (July 10, 1905 – June 18, 1971) was an American actor. ... Henry VIII King of England and Ireland by Hans Holbein the Younger His Grace King Henry VIII (28 June 1491–28 January 1547) was King of England and Lord of Ireland (later King of Ireland) from 22 April 1509 until his death. ... With Orson Welles (left) in the film Chimes at Midnight Keith Baxter (born April 29, 1933) is a Welsh theatre, film, and television actor. ... Portrait of Margaret Roper, from a 1593 reproduction of a now-lost Hans Holbein portrait of all of the women of Thomas Mores family. ... William Roper (1496 - 1578), biographer, son of a Kentish gentleman, married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas More. ... Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, (c. ... Thomas Cranmer (July 2, 1489 – March 21, 1556) was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of the English kings Henry VIII and Edward VI. He is credited with writing and compiling the first two Books of Common Prayer which established the basic structure of Anglican liturgy for centuries and... Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich (1490? - June 12, 1567), was Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Edward VI of England. ... Eustace Chapuys (1491?-1545) served as the Imperial Ambassador to England (1529-45) and is best known for his extensive and detailed correspondence. ...

Charlton Heston played More in several versions of the play off-Broadway in the '70s and '80s, eventually playing it on the West End. Heston considered it among his favourite roles. He also produced, directed, and starred in a film version of it (see below). This article contains a trivia section. ...

Another famous graduate of the play is Ian McKellen, whose first theatrical role was as Will Roper in a revival production in the late '60s. He would go on to play More in a later run of the show. Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CBE (born May 25, 1939) is an English stage and screen actor, the recipient of a Tony Award and two Oscar nominations. ...

An acclaimed Canadian production starring William Hutt and directed by Walter Learning was presented at the Vancouver Playhouse and the Stratford Festival in 1986. Sir William Hutt was born in Lambeth, Surrey in 1791. ... // Walter John Learning is a Canadian theatre director and actor, and founder of Theatre New Brunswick. ... The Vancouver Playhouse is the regional theatre for the province of British Columbia. ... The Stratford Festival of Canada is a summer-long celebration of theatre. ...

More recently, the play has been staged in London's West End at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket starring Martin Shaw and produced by Bill Kenwright. It closed on 1 April 2006. Haymarket Theatre, ca. ... Martin Shaw (born January 21, 1945 in Birmingham, England) is an English actor. ... Bill Kenwright CBE (born 4 September 1945, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England) is an actor and producer. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Film and TV movies

Thomas More (Paul Scofield) is accused of high treason by Cromwell (Leo McKern) - 1966 film

Image File history File links A_Man_for_All_Seasons. ... Image File history File links A_Man_for_All_Seasons. ... David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (born 21 January 1922) is a British actor who was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. ... {{main|Treason}} High treason, broadly defined, is an action which is grossly disloyal to ones country or sovereign. ... Image:Number Two. ...

1966 film

Main article: A Man for All Seasons (1966 film)

Paul Scofield, who played the leading role in the West End stage premiere, played More again in the first of two film versions (1966), winning an Oscar in the process. The film also stars Robert Shaw as Henry VIII, Orson Welles as Wolsey, a young John Hurt as More's nemesis Richard Rich, and an older Wendy Hiller as More's second wife. It was directed by Fred Zinnemann. In addition to the Best Actor Oscar won by Scofield, the film won Academy Awards for screenplay, cinematography, costume design, Best Director, and Best Picture. A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 film based on Robert Bolts play of the same name about Sir Thomas More. ... David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (born 21 January 1922) is a British actor who was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Robert Shaw (August 9, 1927 – August 28, 1978) was an English stage and film actor and writer. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, (c. ... For the singer, see Mississippi John Hurt. ... Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich (1496/7 - June 12, 1567), was Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Edward VI of England. ... Dame Wendy Margaret Hiller DBE (August 15, 1912 – May 14, 2003) was a distinguished English film and stage actress. ... Fred Zinnemann (April 29, 1907–March 14, 1997) was an Austrian-American film director. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is awarded each year to a cinematographer for his work in one particular motion picture. ... The Academy Award for Directing is one of the awards given to directors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. ... // The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Academy Awards, awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which are voted on by others within the industry. ...

1988 film

Main article: A Man for All Seasons (1988 film)

The 1988 version stars Charlton Heston (who also directed it) as More, Vanessa Redgrave (who appeared briefly and mutely in the 1966 version as Anne Boleyn) as More's wife, and Sir John Gielgud as Cardinal Wolsey. A Man for All Seasons is a 1988 film about Sir Thomas More, directed by and starring Charlton Heston. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... This article contains a trivia section. ... Vanessa Redgrave, CBE (born 30 January 1937) is an Academy Award winning English actress and member of the Redgrave family, one of the enduring theatrical dynasties. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Anne Boleyn, Queen Consort of England, 1st Marchioness of Pembroke[1] (ca. ... Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH (14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000), known as Sir John Gielgud, was an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Academy Award-winning British theatre and film actor. ...

Radio productions

The play was produced, with the following cast, as the Saturday Play on BBC Radio 4 on 7 October 2006, as part of its Betrayal season: The Saturday Play is a regular feature on BBC Radio 4 and is described as Thrillers, mysteries, love stories and detective fiction, as well as an occasional special series. ... old Radio 4 logo BBC Radio 4 is a UK domestic radio station which broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes including news, drama, comedy, science and history. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Sir Thomas More ...... Charles Dance
• Master Richard Rich ...... Julian Rhind Tutt
• Master Thomas Cromwell ...... Kenneth Cranham
• Cardinal Wolsey ...... Timothy Bateson
• King Henry VIII ...... Brian Cox
• Duke of Norfolk ...... Nicholas le Prevost
• Master William Roper ...... Martin Freeman
• Lady Alice More ...... Kika Markham
• Mistress Margaret (Meg) More ...... Romola Garai
• Boatman/Steward (aka Matthew) /Jailer ...... Sam Dale
• Archbishop Thomas Cranmer/Headsman ...... Peter Tate
• Woman ...... Adjoa Andoh

Portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478–6 July 1535), posthumously known also as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, author, and politician. ... Charles Dance OBE (born October 10, 1946 in Redditch, Worcestershire) is an English actor. ... Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich (1490? - June 12, 1567), was Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Edward VI of England. ... Thomas Cromwell: detail from a portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532-3 Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex ( 1485 - July 28, 1540) was an English statesman, one of the most important political figures of the reign of Henry VIII of England. ... Kenneth Cranham (born on December 12, 1944 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland) is a film, television and stage actor who has appeared in Layer Cake, Gangster No. ... Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (c. ... Timothy Bateson (born April 3, 1926, London, England) is a British actor. ... Henry VIII King of England and Ireland by Hans Holbein the Younger His Grace King Henry VIII (28 June 1491–28 January 1547) was King of England and Lord of Ireland (later King of Ireland) from 22 April 1509 until his death. ... Brian Denis Cox, CBE (born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish actor, notable for being the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, a role he took in the Michael Mann film Manhunter (in which the characters surname was spelled Lecktor). Image:Http://www. ... Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk holding the baton of the Earl Marshal. ... William Roper (1496 - 1578), biographer, son of a Kentish gentleman, married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas More. ... Martin Freeman (born September 8, 1971) is an English actor. ... Kika Markham (born in Prestbury, Cheshire, England, UK) is the daughter of the English actor David Markham. ... Portrait of Margaret Roper, from a 1593 reproduction of a now-lost Hans Holbein portrait of all of the women of Thomas Mores family. ... Romola Garai. ... Thomas Cranmer (July 2, 1489 – March 21, 1556) was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of the English kings Henry VIII and Edward VI. He is credited with writing and compiling the first two Books of Common Prayer which established the basic structure of Anglican liturgy for centuries and... Adjoa Andoh (born 1969) is a British actress and audio book narrator. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

A Man for All Seasons

• The Internet Broadway Database entry for "A Man for All Seasons"
• Free Study Guide for "A Man for All Seasons" at TheBestNotes.com
• Complete text of the play