Mark Rylance Embodies Thomas Cromwell Once More in “Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light”
Washington, D.C. – Mark Rylance, the celebrated Tony and Oscar-winning actor, reprises his role as Thomas Cromwell in “wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light,” the highly anticipated second installment of the “Wolf Hall” series on PBS’s Masterpiece. The series, adapted from Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed novels, plunges viewers back into the treacherous court of King Henry VIII, where Cromwell navigates political intrigue, religious upheaval, and the ever-present threat of royal disfavor.
The new season picks up promptly after the execution of Anne boleyn, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for Cromwell’s continued rise and eventual fall. Rylance, in a recent interview, delved into the complexities of portraying such an enigmatic figure.
decoding Cromwell: An Inscrutable Mastermind
Cromwell’s character is notoriously arduous to grasp. He is a man of immense intellect and strategic cunning, yet his inner thoughts remain largely hidden from view. Rylance explained how he approached this challenge: “Inscrutably, yeah (laughter).” He elaborated, emphasizing the depth of Mantel’s character progress: “When you have, you know, a couple thousand pages of character detail behind you, you’ve got a lot of foundation.”
Rylance highlighted Cromwell’s meticulous nature, noting, “Someone will ask Thomas Cromwell, do you want a piece of cheese? Seven pages later, he’ll say, thank you, I won’t - after considering where the cheese comes from, why it was named, what happened in the making of the cheese, who sells it – everything. He considers the detail of everything.” This attention to detail, combined with a phenomenal memory, made Cromwell a formidable force in Henry’s court.
Facing the Axe: Preparing for Cromwell’s Demise
The historical record is clear: Thomas Cromwell, like Anne Boleyn before him, ultimately met his end on the executioner’s block. Preparing for such a scene presented a unique challenge for Rylance. “With great difficulty, Mary Louise, with great difficulty,” he admitted. “you know, to come through a crowd who despise you and then walk up onto a platform to have your head cut off, I don’t know how people did it.”
Rylance described the emotional and psychological toll of portraying Cromwell’s final moments: “I mean, there was a certain feeling of defiance, but my mind just kept blanking. I can’t be doing this. There must be something else.” He also noted the grim reality of the execution itself, recalling that “the enemies of Cromwell got him drunk, so it took him three chops to get Thomas’ head off. So the whole thing was horrific.”
Despite the grim circumstances, Rylance found a glimmer of hope in the portrayal of Cromwell’s inner life: “Fortunately, the way it’s written, there is a spiritual element to it in terms of mercy coming to thomas about the worst crimes that he feels he was part of in his life.” This spiritual dimension adds depth and complexity to Cromwell’s character,making his downfall all the more poignant.
The Power of Music: Creating Tension and Hope
The music in “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light” plays a crucial role in shaping the audience’s emotional experience. The historical accuracy of the music is largely credited to Rylance’s late wife, Claire van Kampen, a celebrated composer, director, and playwright.
Rylance explained her contribution: “She’s responsible for the historical music when there are people playing in a scene or when Peter Kosminsky has decided he wants to use historical music rather than modern music.” Van Kampen’s expertise in early music brought an authenticity to the series, enhancing the sense of immersion in the Tudor era.
The music also serves to create a sense of suspense and uncertainty, even tho the audience knows how the story will end.As Rylance noted, “He’s so smart, you know, and you’ve just seen him get out of so many tricky situations before too. So you bet money on him that he’s going to find a way out of this. And that’s one of the most captivating parts of the character, is his own self-hatred actually stops him escaping at times that he could.”
Grief and Emptiness: informing the Performance
Rylance has experienced profound personal loss in his life, including the deaths of his daughter and brother. He reflected on how these experiences informed his portrayal of Cromwell, who also suffered the loss of his wife and daughters.
“You can’t help, as any kind of artist, for your own experience to inform what you do,” Rylance said. “It’s a hollowing or an emptying of the world – isn’t it? – not only the heart, but the world, an emptying of meaning when someone you love very dearly goes.” He added,”but there’s hollow reeds by the side of the river,pipes,gutters,drains,all kinds of musical instruments. What musical instrument doesn’t have a hollow space in it? So there’s an enormous amount of soul in empty, hollow space. So grief is an instrument maker.”
This viewpoint offers a profound insight into the human condition and the ways in which loss can shape our understanding of the world.
“Wolf Hall’s” Enduring Appeal: Lessons for Today
“Wolf Hall: the mirror and the Light” offers more than just a historical drama; it provides a window into the complexities of power, ambition, and the human heart. Cromwell’s story, though set in the 16th century, resonates with contemporary audiences grappling with issues of political polarization, social injustice, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
The series prompts viewers to consider the ethical dilemmas faced by those in positions of power and the consequences of their choices. It also reminds us of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
As Americans navigate their own complex political landscape,”Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light” serves as a timely reminder of the enduring relevance of history and the importance of learning from the past. The series is now available on PBS Masterpiece.
Key Players in “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”
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