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:

John Campbell - 22 May 2012

The Globe Theatre, London’s touring production of Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by Dominic Dromgoole, has much to recommend it. It is stylishly designed by Jonathan Fensom, set in the early 15th century, full of humorous touches, gives us a complex Henry and has an outstanding comic performance from [Brendan O’Hea] as the Welshman, Fluellen, obsessed with discipline, in love with his own runaway tongue and unable to resist a classical allusion.

Jamie Parker’s performance as the king emphasizes his decency and sensitivity, his understanding of the pity of war. He is insistent that the Archbishop of Canterbury be honest in his justification of his claim to France; right and conscience matter to him. In France he wants his men to behave mercifully. We register his deep emotion after he sends the traitors to their deaths, his sincerity as he tells the men he visits on the eve of Agincourt that ‘he would not wish himself anywhere but here’, his overwhelming emot...

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Latest User Review

David M. Clark - 2 June 2012:

Henry V is at best an uneven play, made even more so in this production by some distinctly lack-lustre scenes-setting. For example, the unmasking of the rebel lords lacked the tension and very real danger their plot had threatened. As for the king himself, it seemed almost as if he were auditioning for an intimate role in a psychological drama for television, instead of filling the theatre with the great sweep of words and actions Shakespeare offers him. The last section of the play has always been the most problematic (surely it can be truncated at least?). It wasn't helped here by a delivery that sucked the very life from it. That said, full marks to the chorus and the comic actors who at least let us know it was a play, instead of us eavesdropping on a rather awkward dress rehearsal. Change Henry and the play could be redeemed - Keep him, and the play is bound to carry on its stumbling journey until consigned to history under that last stage of all, mere oblivion. ...

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