One of our most revered and eminent actors, Mark Rylance, has said that in this politically correct world we need imagination more than ever. Well Shakespeare was also very aware of this need and begins his Henry V with five actors performing as the Chorus and encouraging the audience to use their imagination, seeing the wooden stage as the wide open stretches of the battlefields in France, hearing the hooves of the horses, the noise of the fighting and to see the few actors on stage as the hordes of soldiers going into battle.
It is hard to believe that these five actors are representing at least thirty different characters, and the action also moves to different venues, but the whole is achieved with exceptional timing, slick changes of costume, attitude and accents, and we not only believe but are totally involved and intrigued from the machinations of the Bishops at the beginning to the surprisingly happy ending.
Gavin Fowler is a truly magnificent Henry. Having left his wild and wanton youthfulness behind, he is convinced that he has a right to the French throne and will perhaps go to war to fight for it. It is a gift of tennis balls from the Dauphin, an insult referring to his drunken teenage years, which strengthens his resolve. Now he has no choice, he has to prove that this is a ruler to be reckoned with.
The imposing Guildford Cathedral forms an impressive backdrop to the production and, at the appropriate point in the action, the audience move around to another side and we’re in Southampton, presumably the docks, with the scoundrels and criminals whom the young Henry then called friends. This is a very riotous and comical aspect of the play, which certainly adds depth to the more serious and tense scenes to follow. There is music, dancing, drunkenness and Fowler enjoying the role of Hostess Quickly trying to keep her rowdy customers in order.
Next move is to the front of the Cathedral where the façade and the beautiful arches represent the French Court. A very inspiring and passionate speech by Fowler is counterbalanced by the gentle comedy of the French Princess trying to learn English, and Matt Pinches needs some imagination as his French ladies' maid, complete with extravagant crinoline, also has a beard.
Back from the interval and we have a very human and thoughtful Henry. Before the Battle of Agincourt, in a very moving and thoughtful scene, he disguises himself as a common soldier and goes among his men to discover their feelings and thoughts on the conflict. (If only our leaders had the same attitude!) The English are heavily outnumbered by the French and the men are depressed and morosely believe they have no chance of winning. Very concerned and worried by their attitude, Henry falls to his knees and prays desperately for guidance, leading to the next morning’s famous St Crispin's Day speech, delivered by Fowler with such feeling, passion and conviction, that convinces and inspires his army to great heights, and, although outnumbered five to one, the battle is won.
The whole production is directed and performed with military precision, the actors Will Arundell, Sarah Gobran, Nikita Johal and Matt Pinches performing multiple roles, each and every time perfectly and with complete credibility. The fight scenes in particular are expertly choreographed with the heartbreaking and bloody sides of the conflict exposing the brutality of war, aided by frighteningly realistic close-contact shots projected onto the Cathedral walls, and also by the strong, rhythmically pumping music adding emphasis.
A superb production, brilliantly performed by five very talented actors. This is a play full of conflict and war but, as director Caroline Devlin says, “the heart, humanity and meaning is found in a muddy field by a camp fire.”