A truly royal Tudor performance that makes you think – how far would I really go to stand up for what I believe in?
Robert Bolt’s classic play A Man For All Seasons has been brought to the stage at The Lowry in Salford Quays, telling the story of Sir Thomas More and his refusal to go against his beliefs when King Henry VIII repeatedly demands his support for a divorce against Catherine of Aragon. The show explores themes of loyalty, religion, and the consequences of standing up to those in power. Although the story is set in Tudor England, its message still feels incredibly relevant today.
Martin Shaw takes on the lead role of Thomas More, delivering a strong performance as a Lord Chancellor who is determined not to compromise his principles, even when it puts everything and everyone he cares about at risk. There is a real sense of tension in the second half as More finds himself increasingly isolated, with those around him having to decide whether their own positions and perceptions are more important than their loyalty to him, and also their own beliefs. Sam Phillips also delivers a memorable performance as Thomas Cromwell, bringing plenty of authority and desperation to a character who is clearly willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
One of the biggest highlights of the production is Paul Kemp as the Common Man. Acting as the narrator throughout, Kemp brings a brilliant balance of humour and personality to the role, providing some much-needed and light comedic relief whilst also helping the audience follow the events unfolding on the stage. His transitions into the different common characters were clearly explained as part of the performance, and rather than feeling confusing or distracting, these changes were worked naturally into the storytelling and made it easy to keep track of who he was playing at the time. His performance was a true standout.
Orlando James also makes a great impression as Henry VIII. His performance brings plenty of comedy to the role, with a larger-than-life personality that embodies the Tudor monarch himself and makes his appearances particularly enjoyable. However, one slight disappointment was that he did not feature more throughout the show. Given how important Henry VIII is to the events surrounding Thomas More, it felt as though he could have played a more crucial role in the performance. There was plenty more that could have been explored with the character, and his presence was one of the parts that I would personally have liked to have seen more of.
The set design is genuinely breathtaking and is something to shout about. It does an excellent job of transporting the audience into Tudor England, with the different settings creating a real sense of Tudor life and atmosphere. There is so much to take in visually, and the attention to detail makes a huge difference to the overall experience. The costumes also complement the setting brilliantly, whilst helping to establish the characters and their ever-changing positions within the royal court.
At times the plot can be quite difficult to follow, particularly when the conversations become heavily focused on the political and religious arguments surrounding Henry’s divorce. There is a lot of information to take in, and some of the dialogue requires a little more concentration to keep up with exactly what is happening. Whilst this is understandable given the subject matter, it does mean that certain sections can feel slower than others.
Overall, A Man for All Seasons is a strong production with some excellent performances and an especially outstanding set. Paul Kemp is a particular highlight, bringing humour and clarity to a story that can occasionally feel complex, and the staging and visual details help to really bring the show to life.
A Man for All Seasons runs from 3rd to 7th November 2026 at The Lowry in Salford Quays.