Month: April 2015

Damian Lewis on Mark Rylance

We always talk about what we think about Damian Lewis and the characters he brings to life here, and I think, we have to leave the stage to Damian, from time to time, to see WHAT he thinks about… well, anything.

Why not start with what Damian thinks about his wonderful Wolf Hall co-star Mark Rylance?

source: WSJ
source: WSJ.com

It turns out Damian Lewis was a fan of Mark Rylance way before they starred in Wolf Hall together! When asked about his acting idols at The Hollywood Reporter Drama Actors Interview in 2012, Damian says: Continue reading “Damian Lewis on Mark Rylance”

Unveiling A Special Gift on a Special Day!

henryteach

Today (April 16) is a SPECIAL day. And, we celebrate it with a SPECIAL GIFT for our most favorite actor!

So… what’s SPECIAL today?

As the fans in America cannot have enough of Wolf Hall and Damian Lewis as Henry VIII these days, some lucky fans in the UK are about to have a SPECIAL treat as Damian Lewis is making a wonderful comeback to stage in the West End revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo.

Damian Lewis is headlining the play as Walter “Teach” Cole — a character that cannot be more far away from Henry VIII — along with the great John Goodman as Don Dubrow, and Tom Sturridge as Bobby. Daniel Evans, whom Damian Lewis trained together with at Guildhall School of Music and Drama is directing the play. The previews kick off this evening (April 16) at Wyndham’s Theatre and the press night is on April 27. Continue reading “Unveiling A Special Gift on a Special Day!”

Wolf Hall 2: Translator of Prophesies

As the episode Entirely Beloved starts, we learn that Cromwell’s beloved Cardinal Wolsey is more ostracized than ever, urged by the King to go further north, further away from the political center of the country. And we see Cromwell holding fast to his mission of getting the Cardinal back in favor with the King.

Meanwhile, Wolsey is destitute, flagellating himself on the advice of monks who visit and likely believe that the suffering he is going thru is the result of a sin that must be expiated with even more suffering. A cat gives birth to a litter of black kittens under Wolsey’s bed. Cromwell promptly translates the dark omen into something optimistic. He doesn’t want the Cardinal to give up hope.

Continue reading “Wolf Hall 2: Translator of Prophesies”

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”