Review: 'Henry V' at Hartford Stage

What is the cost of war?

Hartford, CT - Hartford Stage’s production of HENRY V features a professional company of actors composed of 50% men and 50% women. It provides a fresh look at Shakespeare’s story about men going to war. It is intended to be a reflection of the contemporary America in which we live, so women play the roles of kings, archbishops, and dukes and a male actor steps into the role of Nell Quickly. Back in Shakespeare’s time, every role in his works were played by men or boys, but obviously things have changed in contemporary productions.

In this history play, shortly after rising to the throne, Henry must decide whether or not to embark on a war that could solidify his reign or potentially bring England to its knees. In France, the king grows up fast under the pressure to use all means necessary to win a war in which he is clearly outnumbered. It focuses on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years' War and answers the cost of war question with a list of casualties.

A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!

I realized soon after the performance began that it was first time I had attended one of Shakespeare’s history plays. So while I followed the action quite easily, I found it to be a rather long two and a half hours and took advantage of the intermission to get up. Nevertheless, I appreciated the fact that Hartford Stage launched their 31st production of a Shakespeare play and that I got to experience their version of another classic of the Bard.

The stage of Hartford Stage looked so different it its “in the round” (the Wooden O?) configuration that I felt as if I was sitting in another venue. The scenic design by Nick Vaughan (SEDER) featured a map painted on the floor of the stage and not much else. Costumes by Beth Goldenberg were contemporary to a fault; when the actor playing Henry entered in a white t-shirt, I second guessed myself that he was the young monarch. Lighting design by Stephen Strawbridge (A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHt DREAM) involved a lot of switching from lighting the aisles for actor’s entrances (and even sitting on the stairs) to lighting them in the stage area.

Director Elizabeth Williamson (SEDER) had a clear vision for this production and she succeeded in seeing it through to the end. I thought the entrance of the actors in contemporary street clothes before the first line was spoken, even taking selfies, was a good start. I thought the battlefield scenes were pretty effective in the available space.

All of the actors did well with the language and their historical characters. Karen Aldridge (MATILDA the Musical on Broadway) made her Hartford Stage debut in the role of Duke of Exeter. Miles Anderson (LA LA LAND) took on the roles of Bishop of Ely and was most memorable as Pistol. Liam Craig (SEDER) played the French Ambassador, Bardolph and Capt. Gower. Kate Forbes played the constable of France, Governor of Harfleur and Duke of Burgundy.

Stephen Louis Grush made his Hartford Stage debut in the role of Henry V and commanded the stage no matter what he was wearing. Peter Francis James got the first lines in the role of Chorus, who served as a narrator, and Sir Thomas Erringham. Felicity Jones Latta (who was in the tour of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME) covered the roles of Archbishop of Canterbury, Nym and Alice.

Hartt School grad Mark Lawrence played Sir Thomas Grey and Michael Williams. Anthony Michael Lopez covered Earl of Westmoreland, Dauphin of France and Capt. MacMorris. Nafeesa Monroe was strong as the King of France, John Bates and Monsieur Le Fer. Jamie Rezanour played Earl of Cambridge, Duke of Orleans and Montjoy. Evelyn Spahr made her debut at this venue as Lord Scroop, Boy and Katherine. Hartt School student Haley Tyson played Alexander Court and Duke of York. Baron Vaughn played Nell Quickly and Captain Fluellen. Reid Williams, another Hartt School alum, played the role of Duke of Gloucester.

This production is recommended ages 14 and up. There is one quite (unnecessary?) bloody death and a subsequent clean up of it. HENRY V runs through Nov. 11 at Hartford Stage.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.