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» » Great Performances Henry V at Shakespeare's Globe (1971– )

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In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.

Zoë Wanamaker receives loud applause when she appears as the Prologue in this inaugural production at The Globe Theatre, because she is representing her late father, Sam Wanamaker, who was the prime mover in building the Theatre. He died before its completion.

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    • Author: Cerar
    Mark Rylance has become accepted as one of the great Shakespearean actors of our time. His approach is frequently cerebral. Of course you need to think when delving into a character, but in this case, the mind betrays the actor. A clear example is the St. Crispin's Speech. As I watched his performance at the Globe, I saw the intensity of his anxiety in leading his men to battle. No tighten of sinews, tigerizing themselves as they had at Harfleur was evident. I saw a tightening of the sphincter in the king with the realization they all could soon die. This could work expect for the lines that follow from his comrades who declare are clearly charged with a warrior's spirit moving them to win at Agincourt. Rylance is a great actor, but the internal approach does not serve him here. If there is time for misgivings they would best come when he infiltrates his men's camp the night before and questions them and himself about a sovereign's duty to his soldiers and subjects. I left the performance angry at his performance. He failed miserably as far as I am concerned. Let us hope he never repeats this performance.
  • Episode credited cast:
    Vincent Brimble Vincent Brimble
    Christian Camargo Christian Camargo
    Toby Cockerell Toby Cockerell
    Brian Cox Brian Cox - Narration
    Rory Edwards Rory Edwards
    David Fielder David Fielder
    Nick Fletcher Nick Fletcher
    David Lear David Lear
    John McEnery John McEnery
    Craig Pinder Craig Pinder
    William Russell William Russell
    Mark Rylance Mark Rylance - King Henry V
    Matthew Scurfield Matthew Scurfield - Duke of Exeter
    Steven Skybell Steven Skybell
    Bill Stewart Bill Stewart
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