HENRY V (at the Sedgwick Theater in Philadelphia on Sunday October 3rd 2010)

Performed by the Quintessence Theatre Group, and directed by Alexander Burns

Click here to read my interview with HENRY V director Alexander Burns.

Click here to find out more and to get yourself tickets to this - spoiler alert - AMAZING show!

I had wondered, as I was looking forward to this performance, how it would be possible for Henry V, which is so powerful on the page with its clash of kingdoms in epic battle, to have the same kind of impact when performed on stage. Of course, Shakespeare himself was aware of how ambitious an undertaking this process was, having the Chorus offer the preemptive apology in the Prologue to Henry V: “Pardon, gentles all, / The flat unraised spirits that have dared / On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth / So great an object.” It was clear to me, from the very first moments of this performance, that the Quintessence Theatre Group and director Alexander Burns had boldly embraced the gutsy spirit of Shakespeare’s original production.


I was completely blown away by Quintessence’s HENRY V. It wasn’t something I watched; it was something I experienced. The seats in the Sedgwick circle the stage, none more than a few yards away; so the audience is very much in the thick of things as England and France battle it out. Scaffolding behind the audience on every side delivers bi-level action during the performance, and so Quintessence’s HENRY V doesn’t just happen in front of you, it happens all around you. The lighting and soundtrack are used to tremendous effect: bursts of light sync with the sound of explosions to "blow back" the English forces. The result of all of this is a sensory experience that Hollywood’s new 3D infatuation wishes it could deliver.

At the heart of Quintessence’s HENRY V are the outstanding performances of a hard-working cast, with individual actors taking on as many as seven separate parts. Josh Carpenter is outstanding as Henry, delivering an intensely passionate performance from start to finish. All you need to see is Carpenter's outrage at the French Dauphin's initial "gift" to know that he is the real deal.

The entire all-male ensemble is stellar, convincingly transforming themselves and their stage again and again: Andrew Betz seamlessly channels arrogant French prince, treacherous English conspirator, and demure French princess. Betz manages to be pompous, troubled, and graceful each in turn. In speech, in song, and in dance these actors present a moving rendition of Henry V.


l-r: Ken Sandberg, Josh Carpenter, Bernard Bygott, and Chris Davis

There is so much done well here, yet my favorite element of both Shakespeare’s play and Quintessence’s performance is balance. In Shakespeare’s Henry V, powerfully dramatic moments are balanced with some fantastic comedy, and Burns and his Quintessence players manage that balance to perfection. The drama and gravity is all there, and the comic element is not only present, but exceptional in its own right.

This brings us to the Shawn and Shakespeare Show-Stealer award, which goes to Johnny Smith, who is nothing short of brilliant in his hilarious portrayal of Welsh captain Fluellen.


Johnny Smith as Fluellen giving Chris Caron (who was excellent as Pistol) the proverbial business.

Every element of the production has been so carefully chosen, and so incredibly well executed, that the result is just fantastic. Burns’ careful selections from Henry IV Part 2 enable him to fill in some very necessary back story, and to bookend the play with the beautiful symmetry of both Henry IV and Henry V's final moments.

The bottom line is that Quintessence's production is an exhilarating experience, and is incredibly enjoyable. HENRY V at the Sedgwick in Philadelphia runs through Sunday October 17th, and I could not recommend it more highly.

Visit QuintessenceTheatre.org to get your tickets before this impressive show closes next Sunday October 17th.

All pictures by Elan Gepner, except Shawn laughing by Ann O'Brien.