“Harington gives Henry the gravitas he needs to be a King, and he brings out his conflicts without expecting us to support them.”
“Anushka Lewis, who plays Catherine – his French bride to be – is excellent as is Olivier Huband as the Dauphin. Danny Kiranne as Pistol plays up the malevolence rather than the silliness of his role.”
“This is another engrossing National London Theatre production“
Con Nats
4 /5 Tennis balls
No one would have known how prophetic it would have been to stage Henry V, a play about England’s invasion of France, at the same time as Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, or the number of reviewers who draw on this parallel. Shakespeare could have had fun with Vlad, but he’s no Henry V.
This screening starts with an interview with the lead character, Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) who draws on some of the internal conflicts his character has. He kills prisoners of war and kisses a princess against her will, but Harington still plays Henry with a strong regal resolve.
Director Max Webster (Life of Pi) has set the play in modern times and has thrown the kitchen sink at the production. There is a choir who add gravitas to the dramatic scenes, a screen showing images of war and the family trees – which we really didn’t need – and choreographed, slow-mo manic fight scenes which are in contrast to the speed of scene changes. This play has pace which sometimes leaves you a bit dazed.
It does open to show Henry as a young party animal using scenes from Henry IV, and he moves quickly into war mode when he is sent a box of tennis balls by the French Ambassador. It almost feels petulant to start a war over it. Harington’s Henry seems to carry such a benevolent edge all the way through, I was hoping the French would reverse history and win. This King has levels and not all of them are likeable.
As always, it is the acting and superb staging that keeps us engaged. Harington gives Henry the gravitas he needs to be a King, and he brings out his conflicts without expecting us to support them. It has the effect of keeping you guessing. Anushka Lewis, who plays Catherine – his French bride to be – is excellent as is Olivier Huband as the Dauphin. Danny Kiranne as Pistol plays up the malevolence rather than the silliness of his role. Once again, there is no weakness in the large support cast and it seems only Harington has one role. And I loved the fact the French characters speak in French with subtitles on the screen.
At three hours, including an intermission, it is long but I can’t say I ever looked at my watch. The staging, lighting, pace and production values keep your focus moving.
Lockdown has denied and delayed many excellent theatre productions and it is good to be in the company of such a quality one. This is another engrossing National London Theatre production.
Con Nats, On The Screen
