King Henry romances the future Queen Catherine. Photo: Martin Ollman
Theatre / Henry V by William Shakespeare, directed by Taimus Werner-Gibbings. At the National Library lawns. Reviewed by ARNE FEALING.
Shakespeare’s play opens with an appeal to the audience to imagine the scenes about to flood his theatre with the life and tangle of real events.Imagining the battle of Agincourt and the events leading up to it through the lens of a rugby match between England and France: this is a story about Henry V’s decision to go to battle with France in order to claim what he believes to be his right to the French crown.
This becomes a work of sensational history telling from the side of the victor, designed to raise the passions and praise of an English audience.
A high-energy production, humour was the primary vehicle used by the Lakespeare players to drive this story. Not without its epic moments, deep decision making, and the shock and glory of historical combat – the play puts you at the centre of Henry V’s struggle as he endeavours to make peace with his journey to claim the French crown. As much an internal debate as it is a political one.
Henry’s opposite in this epic tale of English triumph at Agincourt, King Charles VI was played furiously well by Max Gambale.
Gambale also introduces the play in the role of Chorus – and took advantage of each moment, embodying both his characters and the text. Gambale provided a profound masterclass on what Shakespearian acting should be.
Performed heroically by Jake Fryer-Hornsby, the weight of his role in time was not lost on King Henry. This was portrayed with gravitas and a sense of effortlessness by Fryer-Hornsby. His epic moments epic, and his human moments equally as human, personal and real.
King Charles’ herald, Montjoy, was played equally strongly by Annabelle Hansen. Also adopting a number of roles in the performance, Hansen supported the lead character roles flawlessly, making each role her own and completely owning the grassy stage each time she delivered a line. It is clear that languages, and speaking them is a skill she owns, and will wield with depth. This made every character she uttered lines for fall into her ownership.
The French face off with the English. Photo: Martin Ollman
Marni Mount was also completely compelling as she stepped into the stockings of Princess Kate, transforming herself into a dangerously flighty, fascinating version of the Princess, and demanding the attention such a character and such a moment in history deserved.
This tale has recently been told in the movie The King. A film that provides an interesting prelude to seeing how Shakespeare chose to do the same job a few centuries before.
However as Lakespeare has shown, there is not much that can replace seeing the story unfold in the open air, from a band of talented players who know how to capture the energy and sense of pure story telling that made Shakespeare himself so popular. Quite the directorial debut for director Taimus Werner-Gibbings
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