Gregory Doran's lucid production of Henry V marked the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

Alex Hassell as Henry V in Henry V.
Alex Hassell as Henry V, 1984, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

FROM STRATFORD TO CHINA

Artistic Director Gregory Doran’s production of Henry V opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in September 2015. It transferred to the Barbican Theatre, London, as part of ‘King and Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings’, to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 2016.

The production was broadcast live into cinemas worldwide and streamed into schools as well being made into a Henry V DVD. In early 2016, the show toured to China and the USA.

A CLEAR PRODUCTION

Doran was commended for directing a robust and clear production. He "avoids triumphalism while staying clear of any specifically anti-war interpretation", Susannah Clapp, Observer, 22 November 2015.

"Admit me Chorus to this history"  Prologue, Henry V

Some reviewers drew attention to the quirky cardigan-and-corduroy-clad Chorus of Oliver Ford Davies, who, resembling a senior academic, wandered onstage to comment on the play. This casual modern-dress Chorus was a cross between 'an old-fashioned telly don and a Shakespearean foreign correspondent', Susannah Clapp.

 

A SELF-POSSESSED HENRY

In addition to playing Hal in both parts of Henry IV, Alex Hassell also performed the title role in Henry V. "A modest crown on his head, his clothes medieval-effect with a dash of modern, he convinces...as a natural warrior who has cast off his former levity", Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 23 September 2015.

Hassell was praised for his courtship of the French princess Katherine, where he skid towards her on his knees, providing some light relief after war.

Alex Hassell standing in front of the Chinese poster of himself with his head under the crown

CHINA TOUR 2016

In early 2016, Gregory Doran's productions of Henry IV Part 1 and 2, and Henry V toured to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, the Shanghai Grand Theatre and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. You can see more photos from the tour, including some candid images, on our Touring in China page.

A person stands in a blue-lit transparent box with his hands in the air.

Poster with Chinese writing showing man on throne for Henry V 2015 China Tour
Poster for China tour of King and Country, 2016, featuring Alex Hassell.
Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

HENRY V IN MANDARIN

In 2015 we launched Shakespeare Folio Project to produce new Chinese translations of Shakespeare’s plays for local performers and audiences. Henry V was translated by So Kwok Wan, polished by Nick Yu Rongjun and based on a literal translation of Zhang Chong. Owen Horsley, who was Associate Director on the 'King and Country' productions, directed a Mandarin version of Henry V in Shanghai in November 2016.

Model of set for Henry V 2015 showing interior of ecclesiastical building with vaulted arches
Model Box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

GLIMMERING SETS

Regular collaborator with director Gregory Doran, Stephen Brimson Lewis was the designer for Henry V. His striking sets combined with Tim Mitchell's lighting to create some memorable images, "so that ecclesiastical arches seem to grow out of a briar-scored sky" - Susannah Clap.

In the following galleries you can explore designer Stephen Brimson Lewis's model boxes for the sets and the lighting positions.

Henry V Act 3 Scene 1

Henry V 3 1 Video

CAST AND CREATIVES

Daniel Abbot – Duke of Gloucester, Monsieur le Fer

Martin Bassindale - Boy

Antony Byrne - Pistol

Sean Chapman – Duke of Exeter

Oliver Ford Davies - Chorus

Nicholas Gerard-Martin – Bishop of Ely, Duke of Orleans

Robert Gilbert - Dauphin

Alex Hassell – Henry V

Jim Hooper – Archbishop of Canterbury, Erpingham

Jennifer Kirby - Katherine

Jane Lapotaire – Queen Isobel

Sam Marks – Constable of France

Dale Mathurin – Duke of Bedford, Bates

Christopher Middleton – Earl of Warwick, Nym, Governor of Harfleur

Evelyn Miller – Rambures, Lady-in-Waiting

Keith Osborn – Lord Scroop, Montjoy

Sarah Parks – Mistress Quickly

Leigh Quinn - Alice

Joshua Richards – Bardolph, Fluellen

Simon Thorp – Charles VI

Obioma Ugoala – Grey, Gower

Andrew Westfield – Earl of Westmoreland, Macmorris

Simon Yadoo – Earl of Cambridge, Jamy

 

CREATIVES

 

Director –Gregory Doran

Designer - Stephen Brimson Lewis

Lighting designer – Tim Mitchell

Sound designer - Martin Slavin

Music -Paul Englishby

 

The RSC's archive is held at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can visit the Library and Archives there to look at production related information, including photos, videos of shows and stage management documents:

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive homepage

You can search the RSC catalogue here: 

RSC performance database

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