Henry 4th

My first impression was that I was very privileged to be in this beautiful setting on a tranquil summer’s day. 

Tom Pullen – charismatic and articulate was an admirable Prince Hal.  He quickly established his presence with a well-considered performance that held our attention throughout. Harry Buckner’s Falstaff was the quintessential large character whose aim in life was to introduce his liege to drink, merriment and how to sidestep responsibilities and politics wherever possible.  Elliot Huxtable’s Henry IV had immediate gravitas and gave credibility to his role as both king and father.  And who couldn’t be impressed by Tessa Taylor’s convincing Worcester. She had great delivery and authority. I would have liked to name everyone because in truth everyone impressed – playing their roles with clear commitment to both their ‘story’ and their fellow players.  

What an excellent company of players. I hadn’t read the Director’s Note in the programme so although I appreciated it was set in current times – I hadn’t seen the ‘hustings’ link until a little later – wearing their colours in their rosettes. I was encouraged by the adaptations, and modern nuances.  As a member of your 2022 audience – thank you - it was so much more accessible and therefore so much more enjoyable than some of my previous experiences of the Bard. Only one point I would raise – purely from a member of the audience with a misty past association with Shakespeare – I would have liked a more obvious change in demeanour relating to the ‘battles’ involving the King and the Welsh and Irish warring factions.  A more noticeable change in costume – jackets off and sleeves rolled up maybe to indicate the dishevelling nature of conflict.The fact that I played catchup at that point is neither here nor there – because it was a wonderful evening.  I felt privileged to have been re-introduced to William S. in such a delightful way.  I’m hooked!

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