Bell Shakespeare brings vitality and cracking pace to Henry 5

By Kirk Dodd, Lecturer in English and Writing, University of Sydney

Shakespeare’s Henry V (stylised by Bell Shakespeare as Henry 5) is famous for many things. Henry’s rousing speeches. Its chorus directly addressing the audience. Its critical treatment of war. Its comic characters like Fluellen. And the comic exchanges between the French Princess and her maid Alice, trying to speak English.

For theatre directors, these each serve as different tracks in a mixing deck that can be dialled up or down to temper the treatment of the play.

Director Marion Potts is a master of this art, bringing vitality and a cracking pace to a big play delivered…

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