PicksInSix Review: Henry V - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Brilliantly Staged ‘Henry V’ at Shakes!
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
The explosive, contemporary staging of Chicago Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Edward Hall’s “Henry V” that opened Friday is a riveting soldier’s war story dedicated to the modern military code of honor, duty, service and sacrifice and amplifies Shakespeare’s depiction of King Henry V (Elijah Jones), initially perceived as an ineffective leader, to conquering warrior. Hall’s production broadens the intense combat action that is central to the work.
That initial perception is dispensed early on as Henry keenly roots out deception within his ranks and then proceeds to turn an ambitious, undermanned and seemingly unwinnable assault on France into stunning victories at Harfleur and Agincourt and in so doing, claims the hand of France’s Princess Katherine (Courtney Rikki Green).
The modern framing of the piece allows the unique interweaving of Jon Trenchard’s original music and arrangements that include a variety of musical genres all accentuating the storytelling with a deep sense of patriotism and camaraderie that then turns quickly to the shocking realism of the battle. Framed in Michael Pavelka’s industrial metallic scenic and extraordinary costume design presents a strikingly unified vision. The Courtyard Theatre is draped in camouflage netting and bathed in Marcus Doschi’s searing lighting design with Emily Hayman’s pulsating sound to establish a staggering backdrop for Hall’s company of seasoned actors covering multiple roles at breakneck speed.
Hall dispenses with the prologue as a single voice incorporating the company as a chorus of voices who drive the pace of the production. Within the company of commandos arise superb individual performances: the strong presence—and singularly extraordinary entrance—of Jaylon Muchison’s Montjoy; Axejandra Escante’s Dauphin (and also an almost unrecognizable Mistress Quickly); Rachel Crowl’s Fluellen; Gregory Linington’s Archbishop of Canterbury; and, pretty much every time Scott Aiello (Nym and others) appears with Ronald L. Conner (Bardolph) and Demetrios Troy (Pistol) as the ragtag Eastcheap Three with the Lad (Green). The unique and multi-faceted roles of Kate Fry include the gentlewoman Alice and feature her appealing bilingual abilities as Monsieur le Fer to Green’s thoroughly enchanting Katherine. Sean Fortunato (King of France/Sir Thomas Erpingham) stands out in this exceptionally fine ensemble.
Elijah Jones is HENRY V at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through October 6, 2024.
And there at the center of it all is Jones’s Henry who so tentatively takes the throne at the top, dispatching his distractors and leading the invasion with the courage and the decisive authority of a battle seasoned warrior. Jones portrays Henry the commander as a soldiers soldier and ally, as a disciplined ruler in the negotiations with Muchison’s Montjoy and as Katherine’s enamored suitor.
There are exhilarating moments of brotherhood, humor and song, stirring special effects and deftly creative enactments of justice. At the most intense moments of this brilliantly staged drama, the sometimes dense text emerges with broad clarity, a longstanding objective of Chicago Shakes to bring the more complex elements of Shakespeare’s plays to an ever-expanding audience on Navy Pier.
PHOTO|Liz Lauren
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
presents
HENRY V
through October 6, 2024
Courtyard Theater
Navy Pier
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