Anton Lesser and Katherine Rockhill Wolf Hall Live

A special tribute to the late Hilary Mantel, a good friend of the Festival: a celebration of her Booker award-winning novel that was transformed into a riveting six-part drama by the BBC to huge acclaim. In this magical and unique event, acclaimed pianist Katherine Rochill will be playing the original work composed by Debbie Wiseman created for the series that accompanied Thomas Cromwell’s machinations and hushed conversations in shadowy palace corners - a score that went to No.1 in the classical chart. She'll be joined by the celebrated actor Anton Lesser (who played Sir Thomas More in Wolf Hall) who will mesmerise with extracts from the novel.

Katherine Rockhill attended the Royal College of Music in London, where she was a Foundation Scholar, Major Prize-Winner and Junior Fellow. Upon graduating, Katherine won the RCM's most prestigious award, the Tagore Medal, which was presented to her by HRH the Prince of Wales. At
the personal request of Prince Charles, she has performed twice at Sandringham House. In 1998 Katherine was the pianist for Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells 3'. Katherine played piano on the ‘Evanescence Synthesis Live Tour 2018', performing at the Royal Festival Hall and Eventim Apollo, London. Katherine has played piano and keyboard on a number of West End musicals, was the pianist and Musical Director for the Katherine Jenkins’ tour in 2021 and continues to perform with Katherine regularly as her accompanist.

PLEASE NOTE: Debbie Wiseman who was originally playing the pieces has been commissioned to compose and perform a piece at the Coronation celebrations so cannot join us. We are very grateful to Katherine, recommended by Debbie, who has stepped in.