Reviews
Reviews
User Review: 11Jan01: [Michael Attenborough] sets Henry IV Part II in an occluded, misty light, even in the country scenes, where Shakespeare deploys Justice Shallow and his colleague Silence as comic relief. The light is sickly, echoing Henry IV's remark about "rotten times". One of his opponents, David Killick's worldly Archbishop of York, comments that "we are all diseased", urging rebellion against the usurper Henry as a purgative. The national sickness is the crisis of legitimacy caused by Henry's seizure of the crown, and it has infected the king himself. This is a fine production, which uses the intimacy of the Swan Theatre to bring you close to the hearts and minds of men who are leaders, but also suffering beings. [David Troughton]'s Henry IV has tremendous presence, even as his ailing body gives place to [William Houston]'s attractively maturing Hal. It is a criticism of sorts that Part II works best when seen in relation to Part I, but such is the forward impetus generated by Houston's performance, I can't wait to see him on Stratford's main stage at the end of August, when Edward Hall directs him in Henry V. User Reviews
Sunday Times (11Jan01): [Michael Attenborough] sets Henry IV Part II in an occluded, misty light, even in the country scenes, where Shakespeare deploys Justice Shallow and his colleague Silence as comic relief. The light is sickly, echoing Henry IV's remark about "rotten times". One of his opponents, David Killick's worldly Archbishop of York, comments that "we are all diseased", urging rebellion against the usurper Henry as a purgative. The national sickness is the crisis of legitimacy caused by Henry's seizure of the crown, and it has infected the king himself. This is a fine production, which uses the intimacy of the Swan Theatre to bring you close to the hearts and minds of men who are leaders, but also suffering beings. [David Troughton]'s Henry IV has tremendous presence, even as his ailing body gives place to [William Houston]'s attractively maturing Hal. It is a criticism of sorts that Part II works best when seen in relation to Part I, but such is the forward impetus generated by Houston's performance, I can't wait to see him on Stratford's main stage at the end of August, when Edward Hall directs him in Henry V.
King Henry's health is failing as a second rebellion threatens to surface. Intent on securing his legacy, he is uncertain that Hal is a worthy heir, believing him more concerned with earthly pleasures than the responsibility of rule. Meanwhile, Falstaff is sent to the countryside to recruit fresh troops. Amongst the unwitting locals, opportunities for embezzlement and profiteering prove impossible to resist as Falstaff gleefully indulges in the business of lining his own pockets. As the King's health continues to worsen, Hal must choose between duty and loyalty to an old friend in Shakespeare's heartbreaking conclusion to this pair of plays. This production is supported by RSC Patrons
