Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 2: Entirely Beloved

"I'll say this for you. You stick by your man."
-Henry VIII
source: BBC
source: BBC

Entirely Beloved… Wolf Hall!  This is dark, witty political drama at its BEST with superb writing, directing, and acting. Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance absolutely STORM it together, and it’s just pure pleasure to watch, think, and write about Wolf Hall!

Entirely Beloved is a quite INTENSE and wonderfully scripted episode in which we closely witness the relationship between Cromwell and Henry evolving. Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 2: Entirely Beloved”

A Wolf Hall Junkie’s Year Long Journey with Wolf Hall

“Henry VIII is a monster, but he’s our monster.
 We’re perversely proud of Henry.”
 Hilary Mantel
source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

Tell me… what are the odds your favorite actor plays your favorite historical monster in a mini-series based on your favorite book? I know 🙂 And, not just that, but the mini-series had its world premiere on BBC2 on January 21 — literally as my birthday gift! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I have had this amazing journey with Wolf Hall. It started on a sunny and cold Saturday afternoon in New York City at the Belasco Theater last January and has come full circle with the first rendezvous with Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII. Continue reading “A Wolf Hall Junkie’s Year Long Journey with Wolf Hall”

In Defense of “Skinny” Henry

source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

I don’t know about Damian Lewis, but I am a bit sick and tired of reading on social media and elsewhere about people being suspicious about the “skinny” Henry VIII on Wolf Hall 🙂

So, in defense of skinny Henry… I present the evidence 🙂 Continue reading “In Defense of “Skinny” Henry”

American Buffalo is “Profane Poetry”

 “Loyalty is fine, but this is business.”
-Walter “Teach” Cole, American Buffalo
americanbuffalofirstimage
source: digitalspy.co.uk

I LOVE Theater. There is simply nothing that can beat LIVE stage acting for me… I LOVE sitting as in the front as possible and immerse myself in the play in the most intimate way possible. The energy actors put into acting every single day for weeks — and twice a day on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at least on Broadway — is beyond admirable!

I am sure everyone has her special way of enjoying a play, and mine is knowing as much as possible about the play before I go and see it for the BEST theater experience. I don’t want to concentrate on understanding the play once I take my seat; instead, I want to know “what’s going on” beforehand, and so I can just sit back, relax and SAVOUR the experience. Even for plays that I have read or seen before on stage or in film, I love to refresh my memory about the plot, characters and conversations before I go and take my seat in the theater. Continue reading “American Buffalo is “Profane Poetry””

Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant”

“It’s no roistering doistering Tudor romp.” – Damian Lewis

Indeed. Be forewarned, in Wolf Hall, viewers will get no heaving bosoms, no bodices ripped by spoiled princes with fickle insatiable appetites. The King’s private life and private matters are very much the subject of this drama, but the King’s chambers are very much off limits to the camera throughout this series.

Wolf Hall is about Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell did all his most significant work during the reign of Henry VIII, thus, Wolf Hall is also about Henry VIII, but only insofar as the King is the patron and leader and provider of opportunity behind Cromwell’s ideas. Lots of things changed in fact and in spirit during this time in English History. Since England was such an expansionist empire, these ideas rippled throughout the world, and, even you, especially you, dear America, were a beneficiary of the ideas born in the time this story is told.

Continue reading “Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant””