Sydney Reviews

That William Shakespeare sure knew a thing or three about the human condition: king and country, treachery, war, futility, love, tragedy – it’s all there in full view.

Bell Shakespeare marries a few spins on this old chestnut, bringing Will to the people in an ‘everything old is new again’ scenario, complete with frailties and fears, to a varied and contemporary audience. Watching the mixed-bag of audience is always rewarding and surprising to see whole families in attendance, especially on a Friday night! Mighty impressive, but then NORPA presents theatre in such an all-inclusive manner, the audience is guaranteed a rewarding experience.

There’s nothing quite like a war to rally the troops. Drawing parallels with World War II, director Damien Ryan sums up the play’s intention from The Chorus, “a group of storytellers, flat and unraised spirits… with a capacity to invent and improvise, giving an audience permission to imagine…” Imagine they will. Churchill proclaims the Battle of Britain victory had “now usurped Agincourt as ‘England finest hour", and Bell Shakespeare’s latest version of Henry V parallels those times.

Shakespeare has the same clout and relevance today, which is a worry (1599 to 2014 and what have we learnt about war and winning at all cost?). The plays conflict between brutality and humanity, with struggles from treachery to treason, selling out, and “another fall of man” with Harry ‘assembling a war in preparation’ and spurred on by the Archbishop of Canterbury to invade France, Shakespeare yet again mirrors history from his time to our time, with all the corruption King and Church can muster. Throw in a bit of greed, lust for power and rallying speeches, “teach them how to war”; “the tomb of death for a cross of little price” and get those soldiers “once more into the breach.”  

Oh dear, this play is too close to home!  

Shakespeare sure was good for a one-liner or two, lending to jocularity amongst the cast and a few hearty laughs from the audience, even though any brutal war story is always a tragedy.

The creative team and cast of this latest adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Henry V brings this old set of values to a new set of ears (and eyes). The stage set is, as always, flawless, with minimalist setting, props and ultimate clever design allowing the cast members to re-arrange the stage to reflect every part of the whole: it is amazing what you can do with a few shelf-units, some parachute silk and string. Set design (Malthouse Theatre take a bow) is a work of art!

Words are wonderful: who uses ‘besmirched’ anymore? I will from this day forth.  

Henry asks, “Is it a sin to covet honour?” We are so familiar with so many Shakespeare-isms, when I hear “empty vessels make the most sound” I am reminded how language has changed, yet remains pertinent to this day: “So full of voice and so empty of heart” – I can name names.

The Archers and Drummers scene is dynamic, with the futility of war palpable.  

Lights out, total darkness and a few flashlights – once again the audience is thrown into another segue.  

After being offered Princess Katherine and a dowry, and refusing, Henry, after all the warring and winning (what win? the soldiers die in their thousands, and for what?) ends up wooing and winning her for his future queen anyway! Can we as a modern human race, learn from any of this?

The question is asked, Shakespeare through Burgundy, “What rub or what impediment is there, Why that the naked, poor and mangled Peace, Should not in this best garden of the world, Put up her lovely visage...” Well, Will, we are still waiting for that answer!

The Creative Team, the Cast and the Crew are faultless. Would you expect anything less from Bell Shakespeare?


Bell Shakespeare presents
Henry V
by William Shakespeare

Director Damien Ryan

Venue: Lismore City Hall (NORPA 2014 Season)
Dates: Friday 19 & Saturday 20 September, 2014
Tickets: $20 – $47
Bookings: norpa.org.au/events/henry-v/

Part of National Tour 2014