Shakespeare’s Henry V

Shakespeare’s Henry V

Imagine…chivalry between the kings of England and France clashing like a jouster’s lance slamming into the shield of its opponent. The impact may or may not have thrown the knight of his horse, but the King’s College production of Shakespeare’s Henry V knocked me of my seat. It was the most captivating college performances I’ve ever experienced. Not only did it impress me, the production sucker punched my doubts about college plays.

Shakespeare’s Henry V is based on the story about England’s successful campaign to conquer France. Written in 1599, the play is still being reproduced by play-rights and actors alike. Perhaps it’s the plays legendary theme of patriotism or the dramatic courage of King Henry that keeps the masterpiece alive. Either or Shakespeare had shaped the structure of theater and developed a marvelous way of entertainment for telling a story.

Director J. Gerald Godwin rendition bought about the traditional perspective of Henry V close to perfection. Due to the brilliant use of the dynamic stage which drew attention from the audience on seven angles, Godwin set not only the mood of the dark ages but also brought the audience back to the future.

The well-planed compositions of the thrust stage and meticulous selection of the magnificent cast forced it to set the ton. Al Vota fit the stereotypical medieval King of England with his clean-cut beard beneath his pointy noise. Was it his powerful voice projecting forcefully or his cocky attitude towards his mighty men—wearing ridiculously snug tights—making him outshine the rest of the cast?

A remarkable scene with Cassie Westover (Princess Katherine of France) and King Henry clashing with their distinct language barrier also stands out in my mind. The two matched each other’s level of performance and made an impressive pair. Needless to say, Al Vota’s performance may have been the greatest factor that harnessed the attention of the audience.

Cassie’s uncanny ability to speak French fluently—without previous education—is an impressive approach to capture her character properly. Her tone of voice and face expressions spoke enough. It’s bazaar that you can understand what a person is trying to say even with broken English. Her ability to perform effectively drew the magical twist of romance within the masculine theme of war and violence.

Another great performer that showed an impressive talent on acting his part is Daniel J.