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My friend D and I have been slowly working our way through the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of the history plays. The cycle began in November 2013 and has now reached Henry V, so of course we had to go. If anyone is planning on seeing this at the Barbican, there will be spoilers ahead. If anyone is thinking about seeing it at the Barbican - do it!
From the very beginning, when Oliver Ford Davies came onto the stage as the Chorus, I had the feeling this was going to be a good production. His ability to set the scene was excellent and throughout he engaged not only with the audience, but with the other actors. When he introduced the action in Harfleur, he threw a fire cracker (or something happened with similar effect) which exploded with a loud bang - D held her programme in front of her face to protect herself. Towards the end, before the battle of Agincourt, the Chorus begins the introduction and the French knights all shouted at him to "Push Off!"
The play didn't feel rushed, but at the same time the action kept going. Alex Hassell, as Henry V, was excellent. I had liked him as Prince Hal in Henry IV and his portrayal of the king tied in well with what he had been as a young man. He conveyed both the confidence of the warrior, but at the same time the doubts and the concerns of someone with the responsibility for so many lives.
I really liked the way the two major kingly speeches were made. In "Once more unto the breach" Henry rushes onto the stage believing he is leading his troops on, but turns and finds no-one there. So he makes his speech to the audience, appealling to his hearers to follow him, all the time while he's gasping for breath. Then, having finished the speech, he turns back and heads towards Harfleur, the rest of the cast rushing down the voms to follow him. It was definitely the sort of inspirational speech one would look for in that situation. Equally the St Crispin speech was powerfully made and totally convincing.
Having been slightly disappointed at the last few plays I've been to, this production totally made up for it. Highly recommended.
From the very beginning, when Oliver Ford Davies came onto the stage as the Chorus, I had the feeling this was going to be a good production. His ability to set the scene was excellent and throughout he engaged not only with the audience, but with the other actors. When he introduced the action in Harfleur, he threw a fire cracker (or something happened with similar effect) which exploded with a loud bang - D held her programme in front of her face to protect herself. Towards the end, before the battle of Agincourt, the Chorus begins the introduction and the French knights all shouted at him to "Push Off!"
The play didn't feel rushed, but at the same time the action kept going. Alex Hassell, as Henry V, was excellent. I had liked him as Prince Hal in Henry IV and his portrayal of the king tied in well with what he had been as a young man. He conveyed both the confidence of the warrior, but at the same time the doubts and the concerns of someone with the responsibility for so many lives.
I really liked the way the two major kingly speeches were made. In "Once more unto the breach" Henry rushes onto the stage believing he is leading his troops on, but turns and finds no-one there. So he makes his speech to the audience, appealling to his hearers to follow him, all the time while he's gasping for breath. Then, having finished the speech, he turns back and heads towards Harfleur, the rest of the cast rushing down the voms to follow him. It was definitely the sort of inspirational speech one would look for in that situation. Equally the St Crispin speech was powerfully made and totally convincing.
Having been slightly disappointed at the last few plays I've been to, this production totally made up for it. Highly recommended.
