Henry V: William Shakespeare, RSC @ RST, Stratford Upon Avon, Runs: 2hrs 50mins | until 25 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Roderick Dungate, AD Performance 10 April 2026
Photo credit: Johan Persson
Henry V: William Shakespeare
RSC @ RST, Stratford Upon Avon
Runs: 2hrs 50mins
Til 25 April 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Roderick Dungate
AD Performance 10 April 2026
“Lots of thought but perhaps not thoughtful enough.”
Henry V is a play about victory. It’s nationalistic, glorying in Britain’s (England’s) retaking of French territory against a mighty opposing army and much against the odds. Shakespeare’s history tales were popular at a time when the nation was ruled by Gloriana and basking in the afterglow of its triumph again the Spanish Amada. Yet Shakespeare is not entirely drum-banging, there are moments when he foregrounds the human costs of war and those who would make profit from it.
Yet this balance or focus does not suit us in the 21st Century – though perhaps it might be more truthful to say many of us - when jingoism is not so much in fashion.
There is much that is strong in Director, Tamara Harvey’s production. But it strains too hard to refocus the play, and undercut its triumphalism, and what reaches us is from time to time blurred or hazy.
Alfred Enoch is a human Henry. He encompasses with skill this many faceted character. His quieter moments ring true, yet his sudden moments of regal authority carry power. This king has not forgotten his own history; it is packed neatly away but not moribund.
Lucy Osborne’s set is a huge scaffolding structure with platforms and galleries. It turns both slowly and quickly. As an edifice, it’s sparse but speaks of power. Excellently fit for purpose.
Harvey adds a band of extras who represent the armies of both sides. These are fine up to a point, and the battle choreography is terrific. But this ‘Chorus’ is often used as a moving tableau of death and suffering to underscore the ironies within the play. And it can all become a bit too much; we can make up our own minds, and do not need this message painted in such broad strokes.
The Chorus speeches are given over to characters, mostly Henry, who steps from the action to deliver them; this works well. Except for the final Chorus speech, which reminds us how Henry V’s gains were lost once more under Henry VI; this is given to Chatherine. It becomes a weird sort of prophecy rather than a solemn moment of deconstruction.
Cast & Creatives
Henry V – Alfred Enoch
Henry IV/Gray of Northumberland/Erpingham - Valentine Hanson
Duchess of Gloucester – Sophie McIntosh
Archbishop of Canterbury/Williams/King of France – Jamie Ballard
Biship of Ely/Gower – Hanora Kamen
Exeter – Micah Balfour
Westmoreland/Bates/Burgundy - Sam Parks
Lady Scroop/Alice/Rambures – Diany Samba – Bandza
Earl if Cambridge/Duke of Orleans – Owain Gwynn
Bardolph/Court – Emmanuel Olusanya
Nym/Constable - Ewan Wardrop
Pistol – Paul Hunter
Hostess/Queen Isabel/Governor of Harfleur – Catrin Aaron
The Girl – Tanvi Virmani
Fluellen - Sion Pritchard
The Dauphin – Michael Elcock
Katherine – Natlie Kimmerling
Mountjoy – Sarah Slimani
Swing – Imogen Wilde
Musicians – Jon Laird/Nick Lee/Peter Wilson
Director – Tamara Harvey
Sets & Costumes – Lucy Osborne
Movement Director – Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster
Lighting – Ryan Day
Composer – Jamie Salisbury
Sound – Claire Windsor
Audio Describers – Ellie Packer/Carolyn Smith