REVIEW BY TRÉTRÉ The Lowry, Salford, 3rd November 2026 - 7th November 2026
Once again, I found myself sitting, waiting, and observing the audience in The Lowry's Lyric Theatre. It was a full house, and what struck me most was the demographic. The audience was noticeably more mature in age, with only a handful of younger people scattered throughout the auditorium. I assumed this was because the original 1966 film is something of an acquired taste, appealing more to those who either remember it fondly or have developed an appreciation for its era and style.
There's something reassuring about seeing a classic done well. What could easily have felt like a history lesson instead became a gripping and surprisingly moving evening, full of sharp performances and themes that still hit home centuries later. The production stars Martin Shaw as Sir Thomas More and runs at The Lowry until 7 November.

From the moment Martin Shaw stepped onto the stage, he had the audience with him. His Thomas More wasn't some distant historical figure but a warm, intelligent and deeply likeable man trying to navigate impossible circumstances. There was a quiet strength to his performance that made you understand exactly why so many people admired More, even as the walls slowly closed in around him. 
What I enjoyed most was how relevant the story still felt. At its heart, this is a play about staying true to your principles when everyone around you is telling you to compromise. The political setting may be Tudor England, but the questions it asks about power, loyalty and personal integrity feel remarkably modern. More than once I found myself drawing parallels with issues we still debate today.The supporting cast helped bring that world vividly to life, creating a court where alliances shifted quickly and every conversation seemed to carry hidden consequences. There were moments of genuine humour too, which gave the audience room tobreathe, with the odd chuckle here and there which made the darker moments even more effective.Visually, the production was elegant and unfussy. The costumes and staging evoked the splendour of Henry VIII's court without ever distracting from the performances. Under Jonathan Church's direction, the focus remained firmly on the characters and the moral dilemmas at the centre of the story. 
As the final scenes unfolded, there was a noticeable stillness around the theatre. The ending lost none of its emotional impact, and the applause that followed felt genuinely heartfelt. It's rare to see an audience so completely absorbed by a play that relies so heavily on words and ideas, but that's exactly what happened here.I left The Lowry reminded why this play has endured for so long. It's intelligent, thought-provoking and beautifully acted, but above all it's human. Opening night proved that A Man for All Seasons still has the power to engage, challenge and move an audience, and this production does it with quiet confidence and considerable heart.
A fun fact before I go, Robert Bolt was actually from Sale,Trafford. A local lad. Fancy that hey?
A solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Royal history made tolerable. Fascinating stuff!!