HENRY IV Part I. To 11 September.
London
HENRY IV Part I
by William Shakespeare
Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park In rep to 11 September 2004
Mon-Sat 8pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Runs 2hr 55min
TICKETS: 08700 601811
www.openairtheatre.org
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 June/1 July
Despite a puzzling, unattractive set there is enough here to give a sense of the play's contrasting worlds within one city.The British summer never fails, sending a downpour which halted the 21 June performance at the interval. A sudden chance to revisit the show came the following week, at such short notice the first scene had already happened.
Then, on 21 June Falstaff was unable to perform, setting off a chain of substitutions Oliver beamish doing a good impersonation of Christopher Benjamin's performance style.
So, here's a review of the first half with low-life understudies, matched with the intended cast, minus the first scene, a week-and-a-half later. All clear?
If there's a summer affability to the Open Air's Dream this year, its far less likely partner from the History plays thrives on contrasts. Court and tavern, of course, tension in the one, ease in the other. Christopher Godwin's nervy, quick-tempered Henry IV never feels secure in power, the force that brought him to the throne suggested in his grip, which even the warrior Hotspur finds painful.
Unlike his father Northumberland, Keith Dunphy's Hotspur retains the accent of his region, though nowhere on the Tyne I recall visiting. Dunphy captures Percy's pride and impetuosity, daring to sit in the king's presence, refusing to leave when royally bid.
His ever-serious face contrasts the smiles frequent with Jordan Frieda's Hal. His father's despair, Hal is heroic Hotspur's opposite not only in image but in his strategic sophistication. He knows everyone, he'll await his time. And no-one will know what he's thinking. Frieda's copmosed smile shows clearly he feels in control.
This Hotspur's not cruel to his wife; he's awkward at home, with his limited Honour-and-Glory outlook. So, while mocking Glendower's bombast he's outclassed by his cousin Mortimer's easy married manner with the Welshman's daughter.
Suitably for an open-air parkland setting, Christopher Benjamin has a field day with Falstaff, clearly leading his crew in exaggerated contempt of Hal and Poins for apparently failing to turn up at the Gadshill robbery. Not that they're a loyal bunch, ready to betray him to the magnetic Prince.
Yet Benjamin's performance finely presents the old laggard, a merry drag on the world of affairs, more at ease with those around him (for all the momentary quarrels) than any of the others. The only ones to come near him, in a purely temporary domestic repose are the equally traitorous' Mortimer and his wife, daughter of England's enemy Glendower. Funny old world.
King Henry IV: Christopher Godwin
Henry, Prince of Wales: Jordan Frieda
Prince John of Lancaster/Peto: Richard Reynard
Earl of Westmoreland/Sheriff: Nick Bonner
Sir Walter Blunt: Nicholas Pound
Earl of Northumberland: Graham James
Earl of Worcester: Terence Wilton
Harry Percy: Keith Dunphy
Lord Mortimer: Ben Hicks
Owen Glendower: Gareth Jones
Earl of Douglas/Vintner: Oliver Hume
Sir Richard Vernon/Gadshill: Oliver Beamish
Lady Percy: Annette McLaughlin
Lady Mortimer: Sophie Bould
Sir John Falstaff: Christopher Benjamin
Poins: Mark Hilton
Bardolph: Raymond Bowers
Mistress Quickly: Ellen O'Grady
Francis: Leo Conville
Travellers: Jenny Fitzpatrick, Leanne Rogers, Lucy Thatcher, Pierre Fabre
Voice of Richard II: Daniel Flynn
Director: Alan Strachan
Designer: Kit Surrey
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Gregory Clarke
Composer: Catherine Jayes
Fight director: Terry King
Voice coach: Mel Churcher
Dialect coach: Charmian Hoare
Assistant director: Laura Baggaley
2004-08-14 07:56:51