Review: Henry V, Bath Abbey – ‘A genuinely magical production’

I had the great fortune to work for the RSC for a while, and saw an awful lot of Shakespeare. I don’t hesitate for a second when I say this production stands up there with the very best of the very best.

Audiences rightly fear boredom, and getting lost, or worse, feeling stupid and conned. It can make us theatre-shy and Shakespeare-hesitant. I have been there myself.

But Antic Disposition’s Henry V is the best advert for theatre – let alone for Shakespeare – I know I have ever come across. You must get a ticket by hook or by crook; and if you can’t, head to London and hunt them down at the stunning Temple Church. Why do I glow about this? Read on.

Henry V, Antic Disposition – photo: Scott Rylander

The beautifully restored Bath Abbey has thrown open its doors to this theatre company and production, and thank heavens for that. I worried at first the acoustics would be against us – but what a ninny I was. Even my neighbour with a hearing-aid heard everything clearly.

This cast is packed with talent; the direction delivers an intimacy like no other I’ve known; the lights (Chris Hepburn), music (Christopher Peake and Ben Everett-Riley), costume and design (Eve Oakley) all seal the magical deal. In short, within minutes, you’re not watching a show in historic Bath Abbey – you’re immersed in a complete universe, and lost in a war.

This is “that famous one” where King Henry decides to fight the French, inspiring the troops (“Once more unto the breach, dear friends…”) and ends up marrying the princess (“you have witchcraft in your lips”).

Photo: Scott Rylander

But Antic Disposition wrap Shakespeare in an excellent greatcoat of the 1914-18 World War, with French and English soldiers staging their own Henry V in a military field hospital. It’s a superb conceit that resonates both with the play and the world of 2022.

This ensemble is remarkable. It’s a case study in teamwork for any organisation. Watch them and marvel. The generosity with which they play together weaves this theatrical spell ever tighter; it truly is a joy to behold.

There are, of course, some stand-out performances – otherwise, it’d be a play with no principal characters. First mention goes to James Lavender playing the Archbishop of Canterbury before morphing into an excellent Pistol. Canterbury has a truly drivelsome and tricky speech about lineage (which is the case for war) – but Lavender makes it funny, meaningful and memorable. I wanted to leap to my feet there and then.

Photo: Scott Rylander

Nicholas Osmond, as Henry’s uncle, the Duke of Exeter, is commanding, caring and consistent. Louise Templeton plays a nurse, Mistress Quickly and Princess Katherine’s lady Alice with wry wit and compassion.

Likewise, Floriane Andersen’s nurse and Princess Katherine are both watchable delights. Thomas Grant’s Dauphin filled me with glee. I can’t name them all – but everyone was a joy.

There’s no exaggeration when I say that all though the night, this audience was totally gripped. Directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero have brought together an outstanding team, and present their very lucky audiences with a genuinely magical production that I suspect will stay with us all for many years to come.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdDjrRFIc0c/

Henry V is at Bath Abbey from May 9-14 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.anticdisposition.co.uk.

Main photo: Scott Rylander

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