Written by William
Shakespeare
Directed by Damien
Ryan
Bell Shakespeare
Company
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre
June 14 – 28, 2014
Review by Len Power,
June 14, 2014
Before
the performance started of the new Bell Shakespeare production of ‘Henry V’, I
was introduced to a couple who had been to the previous night’s preview of the
show. They were so impressed that they
had immediately bought tickets to the opening night as well. I had a feeling I was in for something
special and I was not mistaken.
William
Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ was written about 1599 and tells the story of King
Henry V of England immediately before and after the Battle Of Agincourt against
France.
In
this production, set in a bombed school classroom during the London Blitz in
1940, the school teacher, played by Keith Agius, leads off with a quick and
lively history lesson of pertinent moments from the history plays preceding
‘Henry V’ to bring us up to speed for this play. The teacher and students then perform ‘Henry
V’, using props that are at hand around the room, and even reading now and then
from the text of the play. It’s a daring
concept that works brilliantly.
The
young cast give one of the best displays of ensemble acting I’ve seen in a long
time. Everyone is convincing as young students
with distinctive personalities and also in their multiple roles as various
characters from the play. The sheer
physicality and pace of the playing is at times breath-taking.
The
director, Damien Ryan, has produced theatrical magic with many memorable
moments, such as his imaginative staging of the death of Falstaff, the siege of
Harfleur and the Battle Of Agincourt.
There is also an electrifying moment late in the play where you’re
suddenly not sure if you’re still watching an enactment of the play or whether you’re
witnessing a ‘real’ incident in the middle of the Blitz.
The
set design by Anna Gardiner is a marvel, capturing the look and atmosphere of a
bomb site. Her work is complemented with
a superb lighting design by Sian James-Holland.
The composer and sound designer, Steve Francis, adds great atmosphere to
the visuals with an electronic score full of dread that reminded me of the film
score by Ennio Morricone for the 1982 horror movie, ‘The Thing’. The combination of lighting and sound during
the bombing sequences is very realistic and alarming.
In
Laurence Olivier’s famous 1944 film of the play, the action began in the Globe
Theatre and became a propaganda piece for the Battle Of Normandy during the Second
World War. Setting this production in
the bombed schoolroom is a clever alternative to Olivier’s vision and the war
depicted in the play has the same relevance for the students as the Blitz rages
outside.
This
is a great production of a compelling play directed with imagination and flair
and acted by a uniformly excellent cast.
All the elements come together to provide an evening of extraordinary
theatre. Don’t miss it!
Originally
broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program with Bill Stephens
on Sunday 15 June 2014 from 5pm.
