NICK SAMPLE feels honoured to have been asked to direct one of the Garrick’s most prestigious productions in its history.

He said: “The Garrick is only second after the Royal Shakespeare Company to present Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall adapted for stage by Mike Poulton.

“There are parallels with today. The break from Rome had much in common with Brexit.”

The linchpin of the production is Mark Butt who plays Thomas Cromwell.

“The play revolves around him. He is almost never off the stage,” said Nick.

“Cromwell came from a poor background but had a political and religious agenda and wheedled his way to power. He was manipulative, knew the right people and was in the right place at the right time.

“In the play he remains faithful to Cardinal Wolsey when he is toppled and in several scenes Wolsey returns as a ghost.”

Sean Duvall plays the younger, fitter Henry VIII who was married to Catherine of Aragon for 24 years.

It’s not until scene 26 that Anne Boleyn’s Coronation takes place

“The costumes are amazing. Mike Shaw, who designed them, is a genius.

“His team have created 30 new costumes from scratch.”

“Lara Hancox who plays Anne Boleyn is doing well. She portrays her as a selfish, ambitious girl who gets her own way.”

Nick continued: “The stage play has a lot more humour than the TV version.”

He chose the music carefully.

“There are three dances in the play and I am using Elizabethan music for them.

“I didn’t want it to be twee. So I have looked at pieces by modern composers which give it a fuller sound.”

* Wolf Hall is at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse from November 6 – 11. For tickets telephone 0161 928 1677 or book on line.