HILARY Mantel has won numerous awards for her books. She is the first woman to win the Man Booker Prize twice; for Wolf Hall in 2009 and Bring Up The Bodies in 2012.

To watch Mike Poulton’s stage adaptation of these books for the Royal Shakespeare Company is a challenging journey for anyone. Director Jeremy Herrin employs few tricks to break up a largely traditional approach, with a bare stage, historical costumes and hours of dialogue. But these shows work. And this I attribute to Mantel’s writing and her attention to character. Now my history-book view of Henry VIII as a cruel tyrant has been transformed into a compassionate and emotional man, concerned about his subjects and often confused about how best to serve them. The central character is Thomas Cromwell, a man who transformed himself from blacksmith’s son to Henry VIII’s right hand man. It is Cromwell who guides the king and ultimately determines the future of the country. Mantel’s well drawn characters and Mike Poulton’s brilliant adaptation then require world class actors, which the RSC provides. Most memorable is the brilliant Ben Miles as Thomas Cromwell.

8 out of 10

Russell Blackaller

 

In Stratford until March 29.