Henry V

Earlier tonight I went to see Henry V at the Folger theater in D.C. It's probably the best of Shakespeare's histories, and if you want to know why you should watch Kenneth Brannagh's film version. The play is about King Henry V of England and his attempt to seize the Fench crown through force of arms. This production stars Zach Appleman as Henry. Appleman is magnetic in the role, and portrays Henry as a introverted young man who is swept into war against his own will. This angle is difficult to reconsile with Henry's warlike speeches throughout the play, but Appleman pulls it off. He is restrained and dutifull, but still his soldiers are still inspired by his words. The best part of his performance, though, are the moments when he is alone onstage and grappling with the price of war and lamenting his part in it, which as king he must follow till the end. The play is heavy from the beginning and shows severe emotional pain suffered by many characters, but it is not without its uplifting moments. There is a scene making fun of a scotsman's incomprehensible accent, and another involving a hilariously crude mistranslation from french to english (read the play if you want specifics). In the end, Henry has come to a peace agreement with the French, and as part of it he is given the king's daughter's hand in marriage. Henry and the princess Kate are left alone, and he tries to express his (dubious) love to her, but his blunt military attitude and self-consciousness result in a touchingly awkward scene which portrays the enigmatic king as simply human.



Appleman as Henry