Guide Bridge Theatre

CHARACTERS

The Common Man - Any adult age. Throughout the play he acts as narrator and the link between the audience and principal characters, setting the scene and explaining the roles. He plays More’s steward, a boatman, an innkeeper, a jailer, foreman of the jury and executioner. Needs to be comfortable with talking direct to the audience and able to put over a sense of dry wit and the common man’s perspective of the Tudor era.
Sir Thomas More - Playing age 51. A lawyer and statesman, member of the Privy Council and well-respected throughout Europe. A humanist and thinker, friend of Erasmus. Amiable but underneath a man of determination and principle. A warm, family man at home, a formidable yet polite opponent in the Privy Council.
Master Richard Rich - Mid 20s to early 30s. Unemployed, with few prospects he hovers on the outer fringes of court.. He desperately wants to be a friend of More but More is wary; he does not altogether trust him. Rich is ambitious and his ambitions are fed by Thomas Cromwell who uses him as an informant and dupe. Eventually Cromwell will persuade Rich to commit perjury and it is his testimony which brings down Thomas More. A Judas figure way out of his depth in the Tudor court.
Duke of Norfolk - Mid 50s The most powerful noble in England. Long-time friend of both Henry VIII and Sir Thomas. Much more the soldier than an intellectual and happier hunting than debating. Down to earth, bluff, he finds it difficult to see why Thomas will not swear the Oath of Supremacy but eventually realises he’s not going to persuade him.
Lady Alice More - Mid 50s More’s second wife. Theirs is a very happy, comfortable marriage. Alice is a competent strong woman who can run a large household. She is not an intellectual, nor does she wish to be. Devoted to Thomas her finest scene is their emotional parting in the Tower of London. Needs a quietly powerful actress with a good sense of timing.
Lady Margaret More - Aged mid-20s. More’s daughter by his first wife. Very well educated, speaks fluent Latin and Greek. The apple of her father’s eye, he treats her as more of an equal in many ways. She wants to marry Will Roper. (This is one of Bolt’s few dramatic liberties. In real life she had been married to Roper for 7 years before the play starts!)
Cardinal Wolsey - Playing age 54. A gift of a part!He has one magnificent scene almost at the start of the play and is off by about quarter to eight! At this point he is the Wolsey we are familiar with – overweight and an elderly 54. He is at the height of his powers. Both ambitious and avaricious he is rumoured to be more wealthy than Henry himself. From humble origins (he was the son of a butcher in Ipswich) he has risen to become Archbishop of York, a Cardinal and Lord Chancellor of England. He is a skilful and tireless statesman, a brilliant negotiator and often seals documents with a copy of Henry’s private seal.
Thomas Cromwell - Aged mid-40s. Wolsey’s assistant at the start of the play he becomes Henry’s Chief Minister following Wolsey’s death. Ambitious and ruthless he instigated and oversaw both the fall and death of Anne Boleyn and the dissolution of the monasteries. He seeks out Richard Rich and uses him to bring about the downfall of Thomas More. A complex part for a skilful actor.
Signor Chapuys - Over 40. Spanish ambassador. Fastidious man with all the snobbery of a high Catholic Spanish grandee. Has two small but telling scenes He is fiercely protective of the rights and position of Catherine of Aragon, who is the aunt of Chapuys’ master, King Charles V of Spain.
Chapuys’ Attendant - Aged under 40. Non-speaking, decorative role he is there solely to emphaise Chapuys’ status. Ideal for a young, inexperienced actor.
William Roper - Early 30s. A young lawyer and man of passion. Hot-headed at times but very likeable. He was a passionate Catholic; he becomes an equally passionate Lutheran. Wears his heart on his sleeve. Devoted to Margaret and a great admirer of Sir Thomas.
Henry VIII - Aged 38, this is the young, virile Henry who jousts, hunts, feasts, beds and leaves matters of state to his ministers, notably Wolsey and then Cromwell. One scene with More which shows both his amiable relaxed nature among friends and enjoying the arts contrasting with his flash of temper and strength. Needs a strong actor who can command the stage.
Avril Machin - Over 30. Has one scene, two and half lines, but is vital to the plot. What Bill Owen used to call a “woman at pit-head” part! Ideal for someone who will take on a backstage or hospitality role as well.
Thomas Cranmer - Mid-40s. Archbishop of Canterbury. An aesthete who will lead England into Protestantism. Present for More’s interrogation where he tries to argue the theological view.

Auditions - A Man For All Seasons