King Henry (Zach Appelman, top) leads his men in the Battle of Agincourt. Photo taken by Scott Suchman.
These days it seems like dukes, duchesses and dowagers are all anybody talks about, but the kings of England and France, their armies and foes, are on the stage at The Folger Theatre in Henry V, and they are worth the attention.
Power, leadership, honor, and tradition weigh heavy on the shoulders of the inexperienced and green King Henry, and Zach Appelman, of the Broadway production of War Horse, charmingly plays the earnest, yet prideful young monarch with agility moving between tortured monologues, rallying cries to battle, and bawdy comedy.
The play, Shakespeare’s final historical work, tells the story of King Henry V’s campaign to invade France during the Hundred Years’ War. This performance, directed by Robert Richmond, is the theatre’s first production of the play. The performance run has been extended through March 10. Tickets are available on the theatre’s website.
In typical Folger style, the creative team sets up the story with a versatile and striking set, lavish costumes and music and sound effects that whisk viewers back to the 15th Century. Through the voice of the chorus, performed by brooding chameleon Richard Sheridan Willis, Shakespeare calls on viewers to use their imaginations, and this simple, yet dramatic stage sometimes evokes shadow-filled castle corridors, the docks of the Thames, and even passes for the battlefields of the French countryside. The on-stage fiddle and harp music performed by Jessica Witchger continues in the theatre’s recent effective use of a live solo performer to tidily put the sentiments and themes of the story to melody.
Appelman brings softness and severity to the role of Henry, and he surprises not only with measured calculating aggression and but also palpable self-doubt. Quite unexpectedly, while playing the young lovestruck rube to Katie deBuys’ witty Princess Katherine, he shows such comic timing and deprecation that one feels a bit like a Seth Rogen character has stepped on stage.
The cast of strong supporting actors populate the tale of the king’s right of passage. Chris Genebach’s MacMorris and Cameron Pow’s Fluellen are among the most resonant roles. The actors, one through linguistic play, buffoonery and slapstick (have you ever been slapped with the leek?) and the other through a hot-tempered range of wrath and sense of duty, show how the nation and communities deal with the effects of war, as well as the importance of banding together for the greater good
For a more cerebral Valentine’s Day date night, join the cast after the February 14 performance for a post-show talk with the cast.