Wolf Hall Parts 1 and 2 NYC Reviews and Tickets

"For the tastiest dish in town, you need to visit the Tudors of 'Wolf Hall,' the riveting two-part theater drama...The stage version is strictly for fun. That may sound like a weak recommendation to those who wear their brows high. But being fun in period costume for nearly five-and-a-half hours of live theater is no mean achievement. This was my third visit to 'Wolf Hall' and I found myself just as much in its thrall, and even more admiring of its accomplishment."
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"The Royal Shakespeare Company’s triumphant, blockbuster adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Tudor-history novels...as much as the fact-crammed pageantry of 'Wolf Hall' maintains admirable clarity and pacing, it often lacks the sudden burst of lyricism or philosophical depth you find in the Bard. I’d have taken more poetry over plot... Still, as a fast-paced political thriller, it is fiendishly engaging."
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"Part 1 begins with a dance: a court entertainment that introduces some of the major players and themes. The ensuing drama, directed by Jeremy Herrin as tautly as possible, is interspersed with jousts, hunts, investitures, pantos, and — especially in part two — executions...For all its insights, this is not the kind of play that offers much psychology...The stage production is more of a pageant, visually beautiful but a little flat...mostly what we have is an extremely elegant Tudor soap opera."
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"I haven’t read either of the much-praised novels, nor am I a scholar of 16th-century England. I can, however, assure you that Mr. Poulton’s 51/2 -hour stage version of “Wolf Hall,” is competent but dullish, a procession of short, choppy scenes in which nobody ever says anything more memorable than “Bring up the bodies!” The acting is as devoid of sparkle as the script...“Wolf Hall” is not without merit...But stick it out to the end and you’ll likely wish you’d rented “A Man for All Seasons” instead."
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"The plays retrace 1500s political intrigue in Henry’s house of cards. The English history comes alive with crisp and plainspoken urgency. Jeremy Herrin directs a crackerjack cast from the Royal Shakespeare Company in a spare production... The pacing drags a bit because we’re awaiting the twist we know is coming. And the show could stand to fire more emotions. But this excellent ensemble shines."
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"There’s nothing bookish about the highly theatrical approach taken in director Jeremy Herrin’s lucidly told, handsomely staged and emotionally charged production. In fact, it’s not bookish enough...Just when you expect the drama to move into deeper and darker political territory, it shrivels up and becomes what a lot of American kids took away from high-school history class — the salacious story of a horny king who chopped off his wives’ heads whenever he wanted a new bride."
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"Majestic in scope if slightly reductive in execution...While it might fall short of the pantheon of all-time great stage events, 'Wolf Hall' is nonetheless an impressive feat, a compelling drama played out across the canvas of a nation soaked in rain and mud and blood...This version might be simplified and light on psychology, it's accessible and consistently engrossing."
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"The bad news is that the two plays that make up “Wolf Hall” will set you back six hours. Even worse is that they feel even longer. It’s amazing that a story jampacked with lust, betrayal, greed and violence can be so...dull. As well-acted, grandly staged and beautifully lit as it is, the show still manages to be tedious...That said, director Jeremy Herrin’s production looks smashing, especially the vast, mostly empty stage, framed by giant, brutalist-style concrete walls."
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