Henry V worth checking out at the National Monument
Coolopolis, November 5, 2010 by Kristian
Coolopolis scored a front row freeb to Henry V's most recent unveiling at the Monument Nationale (the Main and Dorch) playing until November 13. It's the same production crew that put on an impressive Othello at the McCord Museum a couple of years back including Christopher Moore who plays a small role in this one while doubling up on co-director duties. The cast is clad in wifebeaters during their roles as the chorus so you know pretty fast which ones have been hitting the gym (Christopher Moore= nope, Aaron Turner= Henry V, yep).
The tale is, of course, Shakespeare's take on the unlikely triumph of the English at Agincourt, the first volley of the 100 Years which took place War 25 October 1415, in which 10,000 French were killed while only 25 Brits bit the dust, thanks for the rain of arrows shooting down from the Welsh longbow crowd. So the actors, which seem to include a bunch a young John Abbott grads prove entirely capable, in most cases offering a refreshing clarity of diction which fills the somewhat intimate theatrical setting. The King Henry V, played by Aaron Turner gets a ton of lines to recite, of course and the tall Aaron Turner proved a skilful master of the challenging role. He had a great stage presence and is fun to watch. The rest of the gang was entirely capable as well, they probably deserved to be brought back for a second bow but anglos are lazy clappers, compared to the French crowds which brings back even the crappiest productions for second and third bows.
The tale is, of course, Shakespeare's take on the unlikely triumph of the English at Agincourt, the first volley of the 100 Years which took place War 25 October 1415, in which 10,000 French were killed while only 25 Brits bit the dust, thanks for the rain of arrows shooting down from the Welsh longbow crowd. So the actors, which seem to include a bunch a young John Abbott grads prove entirely capable, in most cases offering a refreshing clarity of diction which fills the somewhat intimate theatrical setting. The King Henry V, played by Aaron Turner gets a ton of lines to recite, of course and the tall Aaron Turner proved a skilful master of the challenging role. He had a great stage presence and is fun to watch. The rest of the gang was entirely capable as well, they probably deserved to be brought back for a second bow but anglos are lazy clappers, compared to the French crowds which brings back even the crappiest productions for second and third bows.