HENRY V: RSC
Henry V: Shakespeare
RSC Main House, Stratford Upon Avon
Reviewed: Rod Dungate: 1 September 2000
A WW II setting and a rivetting production - tough and no nonsense.
A riveting production by Edward Hall and an equally stunning performance, in the title role, by William Houston.
Hall has produced a bit of a hat-trick in this production he is totally truthful to the play's intention (examination of kingship), gives full value to the trumpeting of British Pride and shows us the full horror of war at the same time. In all honesty, I suspect the second and third follow from the first, but it is the boldness and wit (not to say effrontery) that Hall uses that must be much admired. This is also a macho, in yer face' production that is, nevertheless, underpinned with attention to detail and subtle shifts of mood.
The production is set loosely during the Second World War: but this setting has much to do with the atmosphere and flexibility it offers the production. Henry's soldiers are not vague, historical figures, but owe much to what we might now call lager louts, or to the troops we have seen in many recent war movies, in particular Vietnam war movies. His soldiers are rough, tough, ill-disciplined and racist: they are dirty, sweaty and most likely smelly too. Moreover, there is a complete match between the camaraderie of the soldiers and of the actors.
Michael Pavelka's harsh sets reflect the uncompromising nature of war: they reek of cold, of dirt, of discomfort. His sets are places of work and of brutality.
Into this uncompromising world then blooms Houston's Henry V. We have seen him grow from the feckless Prince into the King, and grow he has. In the early scenes he is, terrifyingly quiet, every bit the lion waiting to pounce (or roar). From this well-centred base Houston then plays a wide range of emotions with consummate ease. He is all hurt disappointment and rage as he deals with the traitor Scroop, he is chillingly brutal at the gates of Harfleur, then, the welcome icing on the cake, gauche, funny, and incredible human as he woos the French Princess, Katherine. Within this beautifully shaped characterisation, we also hear that Houston handles the poetry with great sensitivity too.
Other things to be admired some fine original songs by Billy Bragg, Catherine Walker's lovely Princess Katherine, the magical portrayal of English soldiers in a landing craft on the arrival in France, and the strong, invigorating ensemble feel of the production. If you have never seen Henry V on stage before, or even if you have, this is a production not to be missed.
Director: Edward Hall
Designer: Michael Pavelka
Cast: Sam Cox, Vincent Brimble, William Houston, Michael Thomas, David Lyon, Joe Renton, Christian Mahrle, Arthur Cox, Richard Bremmer, Sandra Voe, James O'Donnell, Keith Dunphy, Joshua Richards, Gavin Abbott, Adrian Schiller, Kenneth Bryans, Russell Layton, Alexis Daniel, David Acton, Nicholas Khan, Claire Adamson, William Buckhurst, Catherine Walker, Ann Firbank
2003-10-18 10:36:38