The Mirror and the Light

Why see The Mirror and the Light?

the final piece of the puzzle

World premiere production!

Hilary Mantel's award-winning trilogy may have come to an end on the page, but fear ye not, The Mirror and the Light, the final novel is to be translated to the stage this winter, courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company. With Ben Miles reprising his role as machiavellian Chief Minister to Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, (and also co-adapting alongside Mantel), and Nathaniel Parker back as the ultimate Tudor monarch, The Mirror and the Light is sure to repeat the same positive impact of the Wolf Hall and Bringing Up The Bodies stage adaptations, as THE play of the season.

If you cannot speak truth at a beheading, when can you speak it?

Anne Boylen is set to be executed and the self-made Chief Minister to Henry VIII is on borrowed time. Spanning the years 1536 - 1540, The Mirror and the Light casts Cromwell as both statesman and family man, reflecting on his years as one of Britain's most influential (and feared) politicians. With his own reckoning on the horizon, Mantel fills in his final days, deftly rounding out the intriguing rise and fall of this fascinating historical figure.

Directed by Jeremey Herrin, The Mirror and the Light follows both Wolf Hall and Bringing Up The Bodies and is likely to match both productions for audience, critical and awards success.

Key Information

Run Time

Approximately two hours 30 minutes (including interval)

Dates

Finished 28 Nov 2021

Cast

Ben Miles as Thomas Cromwell
Nathaniel Parker as Henry VIII
Nicholas Boulton as Duke of Suffolk
Matt Pidgeon as Stephen Gardiner
Giles Taylor as Archbishop Cranmer
Roasanna Adams as Anna of Cleves
Paul Adeyefa as Christophe
Aurora Burghart as Elizabeth Seymour
Terique Jarrett as Gregory Cromwell
Jordan Kouama as Rafe Sadler
Geoffrey Lumb as Thomas Wriothesley
Olivia Marcus as Jane Seymour
Tony Turner as Kingston
Leo Wan as Richard Riche
Nicholas Woodeson as Duke of Norfolk
Melissa Allan as Princess Mary
Ian Drysdale as French Ambassador
Jo Herbert as Lady Rochford
Umi Myers as Helen Sadler/Dorothea Wolsey
Liam Smith as Walter Cromwell

ENSEMBLE
Samuel Awoyo, Andrew Hodges, Niamh James and Nicholas Tizzard. 

Creative

Adapted by Hilary Mantel and Ben Miles
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
Scenic and costume design by Christopher Oram
Music by Stephen Warbec

Reviews

Customer reviews

4 reviews, average rating: (3.8 Stars)

Perry

Thoroughly enjoyable

An excellent adaptation of a great novel. The staging was atmospheric, the lighting served to enhance the performances and there was just the right amount of humour to prevent this becoming a melancholy tale. The cast played their parts well and were wholly believable. The language was stylised enough to give the impression of Tudor England while retaining enough modernity to make the play feel fresh and relevant. Definitely worth a visit. ... Read more

Anne Wilson

The Mirror and the light

A wonderful production at the Gielgud theatre. All the actors brought history to life. The acting was brilliant and you could hear every word even at the back of the theatre. This was a performance where you hung onto everything that was said even when you knew what the end would be. The theatre was beautiful and so atmospheric and all the staff were helpful. So wonderful to have this introduction back into live performances. Congratulations to all. ... Read more
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