by William Shakespeare
Bell Shakespeare
Company Athenaeum 1 until September 18, 1999
Reviewer: Kate
Herbert
It is difficult to
make slaughter appear heroic in these times. We cannot picture balmy fields
filled with sword-wielding knights of the realm without imagining the bodies
after the battle. Too much television war has spoiled our romanticising of
death and patriotism.
In order to enjoy Shakespeare's history plays then, we needs
must suspend our 20th century cynicism, pacifism and any related squeamishness
about severed limbs and pools of blood.
John Bell's clever, albeit blokey production of Henry V once
again provides a clear, consistent and colourful vision for Shakespeare. It is
plumped firmly into the midst of World War One, with soldiers in both British
and French infantry uniform singing "It's a Long Way to Tipperary"
and "Mademoiselle from Armentiers".
The period is clearly embedded in the design (Michelle
Fallon) which uses English Music Hall complete with piano, footlights and red
velvet drapes, combined with an army recruiting office and its backdrop
declaring, "For God, King and Country"
Bell's production manages to be both comic and tragic. He
polishes Shakespeare's own jokes and digs up a few ripe new ones. These pepper
the gruesome Agincourt scenes and the long speeches by various lords and the
king.
The first half is less certain than the second that romps
along. Bell captures the tension, the interminable waiting for battle, the
trepidation and self-doubt of the young king as well as his jubilation and
nationalism.
Bell also mocks the French mercilessly. They sip champagne
as they go into battle, are too lazy even to answer a telephone and boast about
their armour. It must be by St Laurent.
One highlight is the stylishly choreographed battle scene
(Gavin Robins) in which soldiers fall only to rise and fall again, tumbling
over bodies, leaping into each others arms and being rolled and piled and
hauled like carcasses.
Another highlight is the final courting scene between Henry
(Joel Edgerton) and the high-spirited French Princess, Katherine, played by a
magnetic Paula Arundell
Edgerton who also played Henry IV, plays this "plain
king" as a patriot, a soldier and a lad with a romantic vision. He is well
supported by a fine ensemble including the resonant tones of Rhyss McConnochie,
Tony Llewellyn-Jones, Terry Bader, Richard Piper and Mark Brady who provide a
host of delightful French and English characters.
by Kate Herbert
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