By Ken Stern 

‘Henry V’ triumphant in war and on stage

Summer Shakespeare at Rexville Blackrock Amphitheatre

 


Bring your teenagers to “Henry V” playing at Rexville Blackrock Amphitheatre through Aug. 13. This is a war play, though lots of the roles are played by females. It is a history play, the story of Prince Hal growing up in a hurry: On the throne two years, only 28, he is mocked and threatened by France.

War needs justification. In the opening scenes the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely explain to a young Prince Hal how France is rightfully England's by ancient land laws. Enter the French ambassador to convey that his king does not honor England's claims. His gift to the new King Henry V is tennis balls. Big mistake. Henry says “this mock of his hath turned his balls to gun-stones.” In 1415 Henry invades France.

Soldiers need a strong leader. Bjorn Anders Whitney as Henry delivers. Tall, strapping, and with a long head of hair, Whitney flows from one scene to another.

Before the fatal battle at Agincourt, Henry goes incognito to his troops’ camp. Henry sits on a step, just above two men at a camp fire. He has several long exchanges, saying early, in his disguise, "I think the King is but a men as I am: the violet smells to him as it does to me."

Returning to his tent he meets with his lords, saying, "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers." That is the origin of that famous line.

War requires soldiers. The English have lots as named characters who share their humanity on the stage: Bardolph (Kat Abdullah), Nym (Zion Pettigrew), Pistol (Casey Hartman), Fluellen (Carl Tuner) and more, along with English and French nobility and more soldiers on both sides, a cast of over 20.

There is a great battle scene, with soldiers screaming and swords clashing. Choreographing a dozen actors sword fighting is difficult. Here it is done well, the dead then lying still in front of the stage while Henry fights valiantly. The battle ends. A count of the dead again reveals an overwhelming English victory with few losses. Then, at the close of this long scene the dead from both sides rise from the field of battle and in unison sing a Latin hymn. It is quite moving.

The vastly outnumbered English have defeated the French. To cement the peace and the future, Henry takes the Princess Katherine (Roxy Lynn) for his bride. The play ends with the young king wooing the younger princess, but she answers in French, not understanding English. Henry wants a bride, but he is embracing the conquered country as well.

When the French court returns, Henry tells them, "and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who cannot see many a French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way."

The deal is sealed with a kiss but also a treaty. That is dramatic, but not historical. The war does not end till 1421 and the marriage follows.

Director Glynna Goff keeps her large multi-generational cast moving briskly they the five acts and many scenes and switching from England to France. Several actors play multiple parts handling their varied duties well, including speaking French. There are more cast members than can be recognized in a short review. So many move on and off stage so many times that there is again the feel of an ensemble performance.

Jaime Mastromomica is a strong Chorus, introducing each act and providing the last lines.

The period costumes convey 15th century Europe. The simple set of tables and chairs is all that is needed and the scenes that play out on the lawn brings the audience into the action.

Everyone needs to listen carefully for the many great lines that have become part of our everyday language. This is a play portraying the epic history of England. “Henry V” is in the cycle of10 history plays Shakespeare wrote. Following “Henry IV” parts 1 and 2, his father's story. “Henry VI,” Parts 1, 2 and 3 tell the next son’s history.

“Henry V” plays in repertoire with “Love's Labour's Lost” Thursdays Sundays through Aug. 13. The Ironman showing of these plays with “Bardic Mouse Tales” a collection of fairy tales with a Shakespearean twist written and directed by Carolyn Travis is July 30.

For times and prices go to their website: shakesnw.org.

 

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