By Liz Eichler
Henry V, now at Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (NKU SOTA), is one of William Shakespeare’s history plays. It not only tells the story of the new king, Henry V, (aka the rambunctious Prince Hal from Henry IV) but it also is a commentary on how history is made–and passed on from generation to generation. For example, in one of the first scenes we see Henry reacting poorly to a silly gift and setting off a war. In another touching scene he, disguised, joins his troops around a campfire to hear what they really think of him, and how they feel about possibly losing life or limb for the cause. They know that people will refer to the battle forever.
Shakespeare is Part of Theatre Curriculum
Tackling Shakespeare is part of most college theatre programs. My college had a “three for them and one for us” mentality when building a 4-show season. The production that would stretch the students the most earned the term “one for us.” Students discover the depth of a playwright’s lines, and breadth of the characters. Throw in other key theatre school skills–learning fight choreography or dancing, weapons, choral singing, a new performance space, history–and the learning opportunities abound. Designers are free to be true to the period, or extrapolate and imagine. NKU SOTA’s Henry V is the perfect vehicle to stretch young artists. Directed by Jo Sanburg, it 100% provides growth opportunities for students and audience alike, focusing on the dialogue and characters, with hints of period costume.
The Story of Henry V
Quick Synopsis: Newish King Henry V, once our rowdy Prince Hal from another in the history series, Henry IV, feels humiliated by the Dauphin of France, who sent Henry a gift–tennis balls. Henry swears he will send those tennis balls back to France with strong racquets, and plans to invade France. Additionally, he feels he is the rightful heir to the French throne due to Salic Law. (“Salic law” says women cannot inherit…so the first part of the play debates this.) Henry sets off to invade France in Agincourt. A lot of the French die, and also a few English. Henry makes peace with the King of France through treaty and marriage to the French Princess. Their child will be Henry IV.
Other plot threads include uncovering an assassination plot and Henry must sentences old friends to death. His former drinking buddies join his army (after they hear of Falstaff’s death), and one rankles a Welsh captain Fluellen. (Well, in truth, everyone seems to get Fluellen going). All of the events of the play are tied together with a chorus, which apologizes for how the physical space of a theatre limits the story telling.
NKU Students Rise to the Occasion
The NKU students do an admirable job. Caleb Lindsay shows strength as Henry, though he is indulgent in his pauses. He has both the gravitas and human connection to command this role. Tristan Planovski (multiple roles including Fluellen) has a gift for humor and physical comedy. He also has strong diction and a good grasp of accents. Marlo D’Ascenzo also has crisp diction and every line was understandable. Emily Lamping as Princess Katherine appears to be fluent in French (according to people around me, she spoke very well). Her scenes with her lady-in-waiting and with Henry are very strong. The audience enjoys seeing Henry turn into a Hugh Grant type character, in which some audience members claimed the best scene in the show.
Bodie Moore is a regal Charles VI. There are many strong performances from the cast: Hayden Hauke, Braeden Criss, Wolf Singer, Deangelo Powell, Hades Whalen (love their look!), Charlie Norman, Ella Deavy, Elijah Medsker, Afton Skeeters, Katie Chambers, Isabel Acevedo, Ella Plather, and Lucy Bickers. The students do a strong job of tackling this piece and I honor the effort and work. They understand the import of the historical events, as well as the humor for the groundlings. They are still working on volume, diction and protecting their voice from strain.
Design and Fight Choreography
The action takes place on the Corbett Theatre stage–and so is the seating space. The vast space, and vertical flies add to the grandeur of the story which affected the lives of so many. Audience members sit on 3 sides, mostly along the length of the stage. This gives the actors many entrances and exits and a long battle field to charge during the exciting fight scenes. Students work with sticks and poles (Fight Choreographer Jay Burt). These poles become staffs, torches, lances, daggers and more. At times the fighting is active, other times they are represented in poses and vignettes. It is a strong idea for a school, and again, focused on the core of the action and intent versus investing in an armory.
The scenery (Aspen Knight) and lighting (Phoenix Bills) ads moods and layers. The space is really well suited for students to have fun with levels, lights and effects. The clothing (Jessie Jones) is mostly black, with colorful tabards or pieces helping the audience identify French or English.
Overall
Overall, Henry V is always worth seeing, as every production emphasizes a new angle or a new perspective. Some of the strongest scenes in this production are tied in with things these students have personal experience with–connecting with a potential love interest, and trying to find out what their friends think of them. The most moving scene is the campfire scene when Henry, disguised, sees the loyalty of his soldiers, but also their fears. Hopefully these students live their lives without first hand knowledge of battles and war.
Tickets and Parking for Henry V
Henry V runs now through February 22. Get tickets HERE.
Parking and Getting to the Theatre: Use Parking Lot I. Enter through the 1st floor lobby. You will be greeted and guided by a number of smiling faces, eager to show you the way to the stage, entering through the scene shop. (Kudos to the NKU SOTA team for increasing signage, moving the box office to the main doors, and the personal attention while the construction continues.) Also, on the way to the stage, you will pass an impressive lobby display to read about the English and French history surrounding this storyline.
