The Ham&High on Henry V, May 3 2002
Chorus of cheers for inspired Henry
* * * * * / five
Shaw Theatre, Euston Road
British Touring Shakespeare
'O for a Muse of fire'. At the first appearance of Mike Rogers slipping effortlessly and elegantly into this most famous of lines, we relax into our ultra-comfortable Shaw Theatre seats, reassured that this is going to be a truly theatrical experience.
Rogers' Chorus is an ordinary bloke in dungarees. He explains the frustration of trying to enact huge battle scenes with a meagre cast and one small stage. With enormous charm he pleads with us to pardon him and, of course, we do.
The actors play multiple roles with only coats and name badges to tell us who they are, but with such accurate character delineation even these are hardly necessary. Tom Mallaburn, a hugely charismatic actor, gives a most intelligent portrayal of Henry. He starts gently, playing the naïve youth who is able by Socratic arguments and assumed humility to bend others to his will and justify his actions, but the character grows in authority as the play progresses.
The lines are spoken, never declaimed. Even 'Once more unto the breach' is delivered directly to the audience in an intense whisper as if afraid of disclosing his whereabouts to the enemy. To point up the King's ruthlessness, the offstage presence of the dying and betrayed Falstaff is brought to total life by Jean Marlow's Mistress Quickly. The final death scene is one of the most moving events in the play.
The British Touring Shakespeare is the brainchild of director Miles Gregory, whose thorough understanding of his subject pays dividends. This is a Henry to remember. Funny, thought provoking and inspiring.
Aline Waites
