Henry V

Synopsis

Shakespeare's patriotic history play about the warrior-king. Henry V leads the English to victory at Agincourt and afterwards is taught the words of love by the French Princess, Katherine. A vivid depiction of the horrors of war and a romantic, fast-moving story.

Our Review:

Anne Morley-Priestman - 16 May 2012

Panegyric or satire? Opinions – and productions – of Shakespeare’s Henry V never quite seem to stay on one side or the other for long. It’s a play of its time, and for our time; one in which we are required at the Chorus’ bidding to “let our imaginations work” (and work hard). Dominic Dromgoole’s staging for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on Tour takes on board the military and court cultures of the early 15th century but allows weight to the 21st century’s take on such things.

Designer Jonathan Fensom presents us with a scaffolding framework backed with heraldic motifs and costumes which are basically of the late Tudor or Jacobean period. There’s much to-ing and fro-ing through the auditorium with musicians both on-stage and providing a species of surround-sound from the back of the theatre. Kate Waters stylises the battle scenes to good effect but ultimately it is the acting which sweeps the audience ...

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Latest User Review

Michael - 22 May 2012:

I was impressed by the amount of characterisation and comedy that Brendan O'Hea got from the part of Fluellen - all nervous bombast towards his equals and eager deference to the king. I think he'd be a great Malvolio. Overall a very good, well acted and fairly orthodox production with some interesting touches of originality: e.g. Canterbury and Ely on the crapper in the opening scene (nice!) and the slo-mo battle scene mime (not entirely effective, I thought). The house lights were on throughout, which I suppose was to recreate the sense of engagement with the audience that's characteristic of Globe performances. However, the Cambridge Arts Theatre isn't the Globe, and I found this a bit distracting....

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