Reader Reviews
Henry V (The Lowry, Salford)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | This was my first exposure to Propeller and it's probably fair to say that Henry V does not offer them much opportinity to display their usual exuberant treatment of Shakespeare with regular battlefield scenes and hardly any female roles for the all male cast. Nevertheless this is a highly entertaining production, faithful to the text (mostly) and with effective use of music, both ancient and modern. By definition Propeller are a true ensemble and some of the best performances are in the minor roles but I was less convinced by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart as the king. He may bear a passing resemblance to Kenneth Branagh but lacks the necessary regal quality and the great eve of battle speeches are a bit of a damp squib. He seemed much more comfortable in the comic wooing scene with Karl Davies as Katherine. That reflected the whole play; although hugely enjoyable it made me wish that I had seen Propeller's apparently riotous Comedy of Errors last year as that seems to fit in better with the company style. - David Baxter | 12 Jul 12 |
