Henry VI: Part 1: The War Against France

Synopsis

After the premature coronation of the baby Henry VI, France, led by Joan of Arc, exploits the fierce power-squabbles in England and battles to reclaim the French lands lost to Henry V.

Our Review:

20 January 2001

Note: The following review dates from this production's original Stratford run in January 2001.

The interior of the Swan has been drastically reorganised to create a theatre-in-the round for Shakespeare's three plays about the reign of Henry VI. The audience surrounds the stage and the action frequently spills over into the gangways and galleries. Actors climb into and out of pits beneath the stage and, more frequently, descend from the flies on ropes and then ascend again to disappear into the centre of the ceiling high above the audience.

This radical staging somewhat belies the fact that, in all other ways, the production is very much in the current house-style of the RSC which its traditional audience will find familiar. Designer Tom Piper has opted for a 15th-century setting and that standard style of medieval costume seen so often on the Stratford stages.

This is the first play of the Henry VI trilogy, and the grisly spectacle whic...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 22 May 2001:

A play I had always considered to be one of the finest in the Canon, thrillingly brought to life. Kill, maim, do anything to see it!!!!...

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