The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse have to be probably the most stunning theatres on this planet: a wood marvel, with its gorgeously painted ceiling and beautiful candlelight. For this model of Henry V the stage begins completely cloaked in a washed out pastel inexperienced, the again stage draped in extremely theatrical ruched curtains, and rows of chairs opposing one another alongside both sides of the efficiency space. It’s been reimagined. And that’s exactly what occurs with this traditional Shakespeare play. Commonly performed as a nationalistic celebration of England’s overcome France on the Battle of Agincourt, the play follows King…
Rating
Good
An entirely well timed and thought of deconstruction of a traditional play.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse have to be probably the most stunning theatres on this planet: a wood marvel, with its gorgeously painted ceiling and beautiful candlelight. For this model of Henry V the stage begins completely cloaked in a washed out pastel inexperienced, the again stage draped in extremely theatrical ruched curtains, and rows of chairs opposing one another alongside both sides of the efficiency space. It’s been reimagined. And that’s exactly what occurs with this traditional Shakespeare play.
Commonly performed as a nationalistic celebration of England’s overcome France on the Battle of Agincourt, the play follows King Henry V’s rise as a navy chief. This manufacturing questions the standard portrayal of Henry, suggesting that, quite than being a hero, quite he sacrificed his countrymen to raise his personal energy and public id.
Directed by Headlong’s Holly Race Roughan, it’s in up to date gown and extremely well timed, on condition that we not too long ago gained a brand new monarch and are but to see what change that may deliver; that we’re nonetheless hacking our method via Brexit, in dispute with Europe; that mendacity and gaslighting from the best powers within the land are information headlines; certainly, that whereas lots of made sacrifices throughout Covid these in energy clearly didn’t.
The play feels very deconstructed, in the reduction of to 2 ½ hours. It is self-consciously theatrical, with the forged routinely saying scene numbers and places, while creepy (but magical) music insidiously helps the unsettling environment. Tarnished mirrors are revealed that trigger the viewers to be mirrored within the motion happening. This imposing design work from Moi Tran speaks stridently of a manipulated civic order and raises questions of accountability and complicity.
The manufacturing cleverly attracts out difficult themes, reimagining Henry as a proud and extreme monarch who hides brutal truths behind crafted rhetoric, and questioning public condonation of abuse. Oliver Johnstone is spectacular, enjoying the King with precision, volatility and conviction; manifesting the state of the nation in his efficiency as excessive and fragmented. Even his “Once more unto the breach” speech is delivered in a surprisingly fragile method, turning expectation on its head.
There’s a really sturdy forged, enjoying tightly as an ensemble and multi-rolling with talent. However, this curbed reframing left me alienated, discovering it tough to have interaction with the human tragedies being described. Hard to distinguish between, the ensemble of characters appeared outlined quite than absolutely drawn. There’s a narrative of de-humanisation advised right here, and lack of individuality, however with out feeling a lot for the folks depicted I discovered myself solely viewing an curiously reinterpreted historical past; which is in itself admirable, however with out nice emotional affect. This might have been deliberate, however the ending of the play then takes one other path, dealing brilliantly and emotively with Katherine’s emigration to England (heartrendingly carried out by Josephine Callies), leaving us unsure.
This manufacturing provides a extremely thought-provoking reinterpretation of an historic determine and brings astute and chilling commentary on immediately’s society. However, its quite extreme type means there’s little alternative to establish a heat facet of humanity within the characterisation and supply distinction with Henry’s cruel persona. It is clearly an clever and admirable train, and though it leaves it till very late to reveal the emotional penalties of exploitative energy, when it does so it has actual affect.
Directed by: Holly Race Roughan
Designed by: Moi Tran
Candle Consultant & Lighting Design by: Azusa Ono
Composer & Sound Design by: Max Pappenheim
Costume Supervision by: Hattie Barsby
Produced by: Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong, with Leeds Playhouse and Royal & Derngate, Northampton
Henry V performs at Shakespeare’s Globe till 4 January 2023. Further data and bookings may be discovered right here.