Supporting the Arts in Western Massachusetts and Beyond

March 1, 2010

A Man For All Seasons

Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MA
www.majestictheater.com
through April 3, 2010
by Eric Johnson

Conscience. Is it great courage or extreme folly to follow one's conscience if it means losing everything? This is the question Robert Bolt poses in this play, and it is one we are left to answer for ourselves. Faced with the same choices, what would we do?

A Man for All Seasons relates the story of Sir Thomas More and his devotion to his own conscience. The issue is separation from the Catholic Church and subsequent founding of the Church of England by King Henry VIII in order to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.

The multi-level and multitasking set design by Greg Trochlil is impressive -- no surprise there. Colorful period costuming by Elaine Bergeron and the muted lighting design by Daniel Rist complement each other nicely and create a raw mood that is a perfect setting for this historic tale.

Add to this backdrop, an extremely talented, competent, and confident cast and what follows is, quite simply, good theatre. The performances are all convincing and the "larger than life" characters are portrayed realistically without being overdone. The entire cast works well as an ensemble, the characters believable and genuine. Kudos must be given to director Danny Eaton for taking on this challenging project and bringing it to fruition -a job well done.

A Man for all Seasons is a thought-provoking, dark production and, in all good conscience, one definitely worth seeing.