There was a time when rulers were concerned with honor. They may not have actually gotten to it but at least they aspired to it. After our 45th president and the power brokers who, one by one,compromised any honor they had to hold on to their reign, English history of the Houses Lancaster and Tudor gets much easier to understand and relate to. Will we come back to a time when being honorable is required of our rulers? Hard to envision, but I would like truthfulness to be a thing.
All that is all interesting to contemplate as you take in Edward Hall’s production of Henry V on view now at the atmospherically redecorated Courtyard Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare. The balconies are draped in camouflage, and there are ski masked henchmen in the lobby. Hall and this compact and talented ensemble represent entire courts of England and France, as well as all the people who serve them, and the legions of warriors who fight each other to lay claim to the land. They are chameleons of characters, well schooled by the Military and Physical training consultants credited in the program. Hall sketches in the horror of war, opening my mind to wonder about what’s happening in Ukraine and Gaza, and what awful price we are willing to pay to advance the “cause “ of overt tribalism. Hall’s Henry in the person of actor Elijah Jones is at once young in the world and a battle tested shrewd tactician of blood and sacrifice. He has not the weight yet or the wisdom of a great king.
Hall has able partners to portray great battles with lighting designer Marcus Doshi and the all too real sound design by Emily Hayman. The gritty physical ensemble work on this show is superb. The text work not as much- and one of the actors seemed to have a cold and was barely audible– I was immeasurably aided by the supertitles over one side of the audience, an innovation pioneered at the Opera house to translate, and now an accomodation for people with hearing challenges. My seat mates found it distracting but to each their own. I adored Rachel Crowl’s accent playing Fluellen as well as Kate Fry’s marvelous French as Alice, gentlewoman to the French princess. I am not sure I agree with the choice to do the show in an American accent.
This is a thoughtful production rich with references and connections with the human tendency to violence to settle disputes. The production has teamed up with veteran organizations to amplify the understanding of the impact of war, and it does not shy away from the all too human cost and the trauma.
Lastly I loved Jon Trenchards musical “design” which ranged from The Pogues and the Clash to There will Always be an England and original tunes. The musically talented cast serenades the audience as they return from the intermission: it is moving.
This Henry V is a solid offering that should be seen and contemplated. While it breaks no new ground, perhaps what we need in this political season of crazy is a well crafted rumination on kings and the waste of war. We need to weigh the worth of our leaders and chose wisely who to follow.
Henry V is playing Tuesdays through Sundays now through October 6th 2024 in the Courtyard Stage of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. For tickets and information go to
Photo by Liz Lauren
For more reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com
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