The Mirror and The Light

The Mirror and the Light

adapted by Hilary Mantel and Ben Miles
at the Gielgud Theatre, London's West End
Co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Playful Productions

September 23 - November 28, 2021



England, 1536. Anne Boleyn’s fate has been sealed by the executioner. Jane Seymour must deliver King Henry a healthy heir. And to the disgust of Henry’s nobles, Thomas Cromwell continues his ruthless ascent from the gutters of Putney to the highest rank beside his master. But Cromwell is vulnerable and his enemies are poised to strike. The further you climb, the harder you fall.

Artistic Statement: 
The Mirror and The Light is the long-awaited final instalment of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy, following on from the RSC’s award winning productions of Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies (staged in 2014 and 2015).

Originally published in March 2020, just before the height of the pandemic, The Mirror and The Light rapidly ascended international bestseller lists. Over the next year, author Mantel swiftly adapted the novel for the stage in collaboration with actor Ben Miles (who plays Thomas Cromwell throughout the trilogy), supported by the RSC and co-producer Playful Productions.

Their skillful adaptation delves further into the ruthless Tudor courts of Mantel’s novels and takes the audience on an exhilarating journey through Cromwell’s final days – exploring themes of power, corruption and hubris that resonate with our time.

Grant Statement:
Staging The Mirror and The Light in the midst of the pandemic was a particularly bold and ambitious endeavour, which would not have been possible without the support of the Edgerton Foundation and the commitment of our co-producer Playful Productions.

The Edgerton Foundation New Play Award enabled us to embark on a seven-week rehearsal process between August and October 2021. This extended rehearsal process provided the cast and creative team with the time and space they needed to achieve the meticulous stagecraft and artistry that underpinned Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies – delivering a spectacular conclusion to this ambitious theatrical trilogy.

We are immensely proud of this production, which played an exciting role in the reopening of London’s West End, welcoming audiences of over 50,000 during its run, and receiving critical acclaim – including an Olivier Nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for returning cast member Nathanial Parker who reprised his role of Henry VIII.


Adaptors: Hilary Mantel & Ben Miles
Director: Jeremy Herrin
Designer: Christopher Oram
Lighting Designer: Jessica Hung Han Yun
Music: Stephen Warbeck
Sound Design: Nick Powell
Movement: Emily Jane Boyle
Casting: Helena Palmer

Cast: Rosanna Adams, Paul Adeyefa, Melissa Allan, Samuel Awoyo, Nicholas Boulton, Aurora Dawson-Hunte, 
Ian Drysdale, Mark Extance, Jo Herbert, Andrew Hodges, Niamh James, Terique Jarrett, Jordan Kouamé, Geoffrey Lumb, 
Olivia Marcus, Ben Miles, Umi Myers, Nathaniel Parker, Matthew Pidgeon, Liam Smith, Giles Taylor, Tony Turner, Leo Wan, Nicholas Woodeson