Playmakers Present "A Man for All Seasons"

The Playmakers’ very theatrical version of the historical drama, “A Man for All Seasons” by Robert Bolt, opens Feb. 17 at Off Broadway Arts in Grove. It is produced with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council.
It is a story told dramatically, but without concern for a plot, since the story is a well-known time in English history --the reign of Henry VIII-- and the beginning of the Renaissance and the Reformation. More specifically, it is the time when Henry attempts to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. It is during this time that his friendship with Sir Thomas More comes into conflict because Henry is in conflict with the church in Rome, and although More is attempting to change many aspects of the Catholic Church, he is still, first and foremost, a devout Catholic. As a lawyer he is not against burning people at the stake as heretics for their beliefs in the doctrines of Martin Luther. He was brought down not by King Henry alone, but by Thomas Cromwell, the able administrator who set up and used the perjury of a young man, Richard Rich.
The play is made up of key scenes in the life of Thomas More, which switch from one locale to another, from one time to another, without explanation or transition. This gives the play great theatricality, unlike the representational style of the movie which won four Academy Awards in the 1960s. One character not in the movie, the Common Man, adds to the sense of theatre as he guides the audience by telling them where they are, introduces the people in the play, and then becomes different characters that represents traits common to all humanity.
The characters in the play were actual human beings in the early 1500s. Thomas More was a man who drew the highest legal fees in England, became Henry’s Lord Chancellor, but ended his life in comparative poverty, because he would not tender the Oath of Supremacy which made Henry head of the Church of England.
The cast of eleven men and three women are under the direction of Suzanne Boles. The Rev. Philip Lawrence takes on his first leading role as Sir Thomas More. Chuck Bullock portrays the Common Man. More’s family includes his second wife, Alice (Alverda Bolton), his daughter Margaret (Kiersey King), and her suitor and later husband, William Roper (Derek Dixon). Leonard Noel plays the role of More’s friend, Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk. Stan Starts takes the role of Henry VIII. Ken Hines is Cardinal Wolsey. The antagonists in the play are Richard Rich and Thomas Cromwell, played respectively by newcomers to The Playmakers, Adam Pharr and Alan Sharkis. The Ambassador for Spain is Fred Dunn and his attendant is Blake Dixon. Archbishop Cranmer is played by Bud Kaufman, and the role of the woman who tries to bribe Sir Thomas with a silver goblet is played by Linda McAhren.
Organizations and groups who would like to take part in discussions about this play are urged to call the director at 786-5871. The themes of the play provide a wealth of subject matter for discussion by church groups as well as historical and legal classes. Ticket discounts are available to the play for groups of 20 or more.
Performances are scheduled at 7:30 pm on Fridays, Feb. 17 & 24, Saturdays, Feb 18 & 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 21. Sunday matinees on Feb. 19 & 26 are at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $6 for students. The suggested maturity level for this production is upper elementary and above. Reservations may be made by calling 918-786-8950 or emailing http://us.f340.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=play_theatre05@sbcglobal.net. Off Broadway Arts theatre is located at 121 W. 3rd St., in Grove.
...from Correspondent Suzanne Boles