The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptations of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies are to transfer to the Aldwych Theatre in London.
Playful Productions commissioned Mike Poulton to adapt the two books which tell the story of the political rise to power of Thomas Cromwell from blacksmith’s boy to Henry VIII’s right hand man. The two productions have been playing in repertoire in the Swan Theatre, Stratford since December.
Hilary Mantel says, “I am, I think, currently the luckiest author in the world.
"Each night, at the Swan Theatre, we have the privilege of setting our funny, fast, harrowing plays before audiences who are provoked, exhilarated and moved.
“Jeremy Herrin directs a clever, committed cast, headed by Ben Miles as the sardonic and constantly surprising Thomas Cromwell.
“In their glowing costumes, against a stark background, lapped by flames and falling snow, our company recreates the court of Henry VIII, its brief love affairs and brutal power games, its dances and masques, weddings and executions.
“To walk into a theatre where every seat is taken is a special experience. Now we have the chance to bring the plays to a wider audience. We’re thrilled that our London base is to be the Aldwych, once the home of the RSC, a theatre that will provide a showcase for this unique project.”
RSC artistic director Gregory Doran and executive director Catherine Mallyon said, “From the first reading of Hilary’s incredible books we knew they would make gripping theatrical events, and great creative skill and imagination would be required to make that possible.
“It’s with huge pleasure that we’ve seen them crafted by Mike Poulton and Hilary herself and directed by Jeremy Herrin to become the current ‘must see’ shows of our winter season.
“One of the RSC’s most important roles is to nurture epic, complex and ambitious work and to support it with superlative acting, attention to detail and the excellent stagecraft you can see in these productions. We’re very proud of them.”
Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies will play at the Aldwych Theatre from 1 May until 6 September.