Henry makes history
Bard show best ever
by Christopher Key
As I’ve noted in previous years, the shows presented on the Douglas Campbell Studio Stage at Bard on the Beach are invariably my favorites among the four annual productions. Part of it is because these are always the less-frequently produced plays among the canon and part is because of the intimate proportions of the theatre. Often, it’s because that’s where the best acting takes place. Henry V is the hands-down winner this year and may be the best production I’ve ever seen at Bard. That’s saying a lot.
Director Meg Roe is in her sixth season at Bard and let’s hope she sticks around for 60 more. This is a uniformly stellar production and if you can only get to one Bard show a year, this is the one. The story follows hot on the heels of the fabulous Falstaff and many of the actors return in the same roles.
Chief among these is Alessandro Juliani as King Henry V. He delivered a remarkable performance in Falstaff and this time, the show is his. He responds with an Olympian portrayal of the man who almost wouldn’t be king. The passion he brings to this role is stunning as he switches from high drama to low comedy with seeming ease.
Alessandro Juliani delivers a definitive performance as Henry V at Bard on the Beach. Photo credit - David Blue
Colleen Wheeler also returns as Mistress Quickly and the Chorus. Her commanding voice and stage presence easily dominate the theatre, even considering an astonishing cast. Playing three roles, Andrew McNee returns to the Bard stage after far too long an absence. All of his roles are well-done, but as the Welshman Fluellen, he is absolutely leekproof. Duncan Fraser brings an unassailable dignity to any role he plays, especially in this show as the King’s uncle, the Duke of Exeter.
Kevin McNulty plays both King Charles VI of France and the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is riotously funny as the dauntingly verbose clergyman. Bard newcomer Kevin K. James got my attention as Poins in Falstaff, but truly comes into his own with a blustering portrayal of Pistol. Louis the Dauphin is portrayed with sneering Gallic superiority by Charlie Gallant.
Princess Katherine of France is played to the regal hilt by Amber Lewis, who delivers a star comic turn when her maid tries to teach her English. That maid is played by Kayla Deorksen and the scene between the two is a thing of beauty. There is a young actor making his theatrical debut in this show who is frighteningly talented. His name is Joseph Gustafson and his stage presence is that of an actor two or three times his age. He gets to show off his fluency in French and his career will be fascinating to follow.
You couldn’t find a weak spot in this cast with an MRI, but I have a few technical raves I want to hand out. There’s no real way to discern between the choreography of Rob Kitsos and the fight direction of Nicholas Harrison because the two specialties are merged so seamlessly. The result is pure magic. The portentous soundtrack by Owen Belton is powerful, especially the almost subsonic rumblings before the play begins.
It’s something of a risk for any Shakespeare company to take on the historical plays, but this one has paid off magnificently. It’s almost enough to make me forget the pain of trying to learn English history from textbooks.
Henry V plays through September 24 at Bard on the Beach, Vanier Park, Vancouver, B.C. Consult the Bard site, www.bardonthebeach.org, for scheduling and ticket prices. This show got the quickest and most unanimous standing ovation I’ve ever seen at Bard. Enough said.
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