Integrity's Price Very Little Theatre stages life of Thomas More. By Jerry Gillespie   Richard Rich (Frank Emmerich) and Sir Thomas More (Dan Pegoda) raise a toast in VLT's Man For All Seasons. .   Don't rent the 1966 Academy Award winning movie, A Man for All Seasons, starring Paul Scofield. It is painfully plodding and has all the passion of a high-school history book. The story of Sir Thomas More is better viewed live, which is currently possible at the Very Little Theatre. The VLT took a risk in producing a play that can outshine the actors. Scholar Thomas More stands as one of the most important, well-published practitioners of Platonic dialogue of all time. Playwright Robert Bolt makes dialogue a literary form. It is no wonder that in this play, the word is the star. The production itself has merits but is not without its problems. AMFAS is a tiny story that takes place during a dramatic period in English History. Young Thomas More rose from the merchant class by his scholarly pursuit of classics, law and theology. He was famed for his honesty and justice and rose to the position of Lord Chancellor of the Realm. Jurist More blended his legal and political pursuits with a strong family life and a firm Catholic faith. He believed his life's actions determined his eternal position in heaven or hell. But he had a tragic flaw -- a conscience. When Henry VIII was unable to get a papal dispensation to marry Anne Boleyn, mother to Queen Elizabeth I, he started the Church of England. Without ado, More resigned his position, yet remained silent on the subject. ("His silence bellowed up and down Europe.") He was pursued by Thomas Cromwell, thrown into the Tower of London and through his knowledge of the law was able to save himself from all charges except betrayal. Director Karen Scheeland brought together a capable group of actors, but not necessarily in the right roles. Dan Pegoda had a difficult time finding the true essence of Saint Thomas More, in spite of a credible acting performance. Physically, he lacked maturity and chose to play the heroic rather than the humble during the first act. He reversed positions in the second act, playing More as a martyr before Pontius Pilate. More was in his element while defending himself before his friends and peers. It was his finest hour. Yet Pegoda failed to convey the intensities and passions of More's incredible wisdom, sensitivity, wit, nobleness and sense of justice. The rest of the cast hit singles but no emotional home runs. Where were the villains? I wanted a sleazier, more-corrupt Thomas Cromwell (James Aday), who could really threaten like a "dockside bully." Give me Iago! I wanted a weaker, greedier toady in Richard Rich (Frank Emmerich). Give me Judas! I wanted a more raucous Henry VIII (Ron Hart), full of bluffs and appetites. Please, don't give me Bill Clinton! Bill Furtick popped up with comic frequency in the role of Common Man and provided a much-needed foil to More while continuing a sustaining narrative throughout the play. Furtick was cast perfectly and was an audience favorite. Richard Scheeland's set filled the stage adding grandeur not only to the play, but also to the entire theater. David Sherman's lighting was too dark and cast an unnecessary Gothic doom over the play. In spite of the miscasting, I recommend this production to the introspective and to the connoisseur of vintage language. A Man For All Seasons continues at 8:15 pm Thursday through Saturdays Oct. 26-28 and Nov. 2-4, with a 2 pm matinee on Oct. 29 at the VLT, 2350 Hilyard St. $12. 344-7751. Back to Top Table of Contents | News & Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive