IT HAS been nominated for a glut of awards and is loved by both critics and audiences.

Now the words of a much-loved book and its sequel and the music which accompanied the TV series based off it will be performed in one of Hampshire’s best known landmarks.

The pews are expected to be packed to the rafters when Romsey Abbey welcomes the director and composer of the award-award winning TV series Wolf Hall for a candle-lit concert.

Director Peter Kosminsky and soundtrack composer Debbie Wiseman will be appearing at the Romsey church on Tuesday, May 31.

Together they hope to recreate the atmosphere of Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, both written by Hilary Mantel, which tell the story of the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell to power in Tudor England.

Debbie’s original score accompanied “Cromwell’s machinations and hushed conversations in shadowy palace corners” in the BBC TV series and rose to the top of the classical charts.

Her success with the score also led her to be selected to compose music for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at the weekend.

Peter will be reading extracts from the books while Debbie will be leading the London-based Locrian Ensemble as part of a special 90-minute event for Salisbury International Arts Festival.

Debbie said that the “music describes the story”.

“It’s a bit like Peter and The Wolf where the music describes what we have just heard.

“We didn’t want people to listen to the words and the music at the same time, the words are so descriptive. We thought it would be best to have the words then the music. People can then let their imaginations do the rest.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

She added: I think it’s very special to do it in Romsey, not only because of the atmosphere it will create, we’re going to do it by candlelight, it gives it an extra special dimension rather than just a concert hall.”

People who haven’t read the book nor seen the TV series would still be able to appreciate it, Debbie said.

Hilary Mantel is the first woman to win the Man Booker Prize twice for the two books which tell how Cromwell orchestrated divorces, executions and administered Henry VIII’s public and private lives.

Cromwell was responsible for orchestrating the dissolution of the monasteries, which Romsey Abbey managed to escape because the church was bought from the king in order to save it.

Starring Mark Rylance, the show aired on BBC 2 earlier this year to popular acclaim and was named Best Drama at the BAFTA television awards earlier this month.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The Vicar of Romsey, Revd Canon Tim Sledge, pictured, said he was a big fan of the six-part series and looked forward to hearing the music.

“The TV show was one of the most evocative and historically accurate pieces of filming that the BBC has done for some time.

"I think it’s great that they’re doing this in the Abbey, I think it’s great that they’re doing it by candlelight,” he said.

The concert starts at 8pm. For tickets (£22, £18, and £12) call 0845 241 9651 or visit www.saliburyfestival.co.uk.