Henry V (review)

Abstract

Having chosen to shorten it significantly, the production had no choice but to stay for the most part on the literal level of the play, telling the story straightforwardly, emphasizing physical comedy, cutting lines that might point towards the deeper (and darker) significance of the action. It never, for example, left itself enough time (either through the words or the action) to articulate and make felt the implications of the dancing lovers or, more importantly, of the shift in lines between Oberon and Titania. As the reversal of the opening scenes suggested and his flamboyant acting made clear, Bottom and his mates were meant to be the stars of the show. All in all the production did what it apparently set out to do and offered a concise, accessible, and visually attractive articulation of the play, designed to entertain both adults and children.