(Above photo - Mark Rylance as Oliver Cromwell and Damien Lewis Henry VIII )
I've just finished watching the excellent 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light' and I marveled at the authentic creation of Tudor interiors and the overall set design. As is often when watching these kind of period dramas, I am almost more drawn to the sets and props than I am the action and sometimes slightly lose the plot, which was quite easy to do when considering the array of characters in this adaption of Hilary Mantel's complex novel. Visually I'm constantly drawn to things slightly off stage - what is that strange accessory (armillary sphere) on the desk? Is that really a Tudor specimen cabinet with barley twist legs in the background? Look at the gable hood and Spanish lace on that maiden's headdress? What's that tapestry hanging on the back wall?
(Above photo - Dover Castle interior - used as a stand in for the Tower of London )
Over two season's we follow the trajectory of Thomas Cromwell - the son of a Putney blacksmith - as he navigates the Tudor court of Henry VIII. Starting as an assistant to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey - Henry VII's Lord Chancellor - Cromwell quickly rose through the ranks to a position of considerable power, an uncommon feat for a man of such lowly origins at that time. Cromwell became a chief minister to Henry and assisted with England's break from Rome and the Dissolution of the Monasteries. And of course - it being Henry VIII - he oversaw the chopping off of Anne Boleyn's head and the annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
(Above photo - Lots of tapestries like this as wall coverings on interior scenes )
Like the novels - excellent, well worth a read - the series examines ideas of moral conscience, religion, the radical transformation of England in this period and ideas of ambition and how men connive and plot to obtain power. And then swiftly lose it all. It's helped by the top notch acting talent including Mark Rylance (Cromwell), Damian Lewis (Henry) and Timothy Spall (Duke of Norfolk).
(Above photo - Oliver Cromwell - the son of a Putney blacksmith )
I found the faithful attention to period detail - costumes, locations, props, interiors, gardens and set pieces - absolutely mesmerizing. I found the dialogue and action at times slow which isn't a criticism - more an accurate reflection of things would have unfolded in the 1500s. I also found the lighting quite dark, again an authentic replication of how it would have been at the time - flickering candles and ominous shadows - which adds to the atmosphere and tension. You can almost hear the creaks of the hallway floorboards as plotters spy in corridors.
Some of the locations included:
(Above photo - Medieval street in Wells, Somerset )
Hampton Court Palace, London - not bad, let's use Henry VIII's actual palace. Wells, Somerset - England's most finely preserved medieval city. Dover Castle, Kent - as a stand in for the Tower Of London. Montacute House, Somerset - never been, now I have a good reason to visit.
Was there any reason they didn't use - local to Canonbury Antiques - Hatfield House, which is always a popular location for these type of period dramas? Of course, being well located for the UK film industry which has many studios in Hertfordshire, Canonbury Antiques are a perfect choice for prop hire and set design for these type of productions. We could easily fill a castle with Tudor and Elizabethan furniture and props and enjoy working with set designers and studios in the film industry to create these kind of productions.
(Above photo - Hatfield House is often used in period dramas, here with Olivia Coleman in The Favourite )
'Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light' is an amazing piece of historical drama with top notch acting and production in all areas. I felt utterly transported back to Tudor times with all it's seeming misery, darkness and blood letting as it unfolded on the screen leading to the dramatic finale. Spoiler alert; it involves someone having their head chopped off. What a surprise.
(Above photo - Set of 8 oak Tudor dining chairs - TV period drama prop hire )
(Above photo - Oak refectory table and bench - fit for a medieval banquet )
(Above photo - Italian Needlepoint Tapestry Cobbler and Prince Portrait )
(Above photo - William and Mary desk )
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