Henry V (The Public Theater) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (22)
See it if If you like Papp/Public Theater interpretations of Shakespeare in an intimate setting.
Don't see it if If you insist on a traditional interpretation. The French accents are annoying and poor choice in an otherwise interesting show.
See it if O'Hara undercuts his white hot 'masculine' staging using non-gender casting & sexual politics Volitile & edgy with audience as battlefield
Don't see it if Phenomenal performance by Zenzi Williams as Henry despite choppy rhythms French court as pack of fops lands flat Duel casting confusion
See it if You like seeing new takes on Shakespeare that are fun and different.
Don't see it if You're a purist. You get annoyed with over-acting.
See it if You enjoy Shakespeare. Want to see a rather comical rendering of Henry V.
Don't see it if Are apt to dislike more comical interpretations of Shakespeare's works. Read more
See it if you like watching ensemble theatre where the actors interact with the audience, make bold choices and commit with 100% of their being.
Don't see it if you'll miss the war aspects of the play, characters such as Pistol and Fluellen or don't want to be yelled at by Henry for almost two hours. Read more
See it if you want a fast-paced, trimmed HV, w/impressive Zenzi Wms as Henry. Lots of directorial flourishes. Humor. Staged in the round. Spare.
Don't see it if you want to get every word. Heavy French accents (ugh) & too much shouting (it echoes). New approach to wooing scene undermines WS's intent. Read more
See it if You like diverse casts that cross gender lines. The house lights are on so part of the show is watching the audience reaction to the actors.
Don't see it if You prefer large, epic productions of Shakespeare - this is small and intimate. This is abridged so it's much shorter than the original.
See it if you enjoy Shakespeare at it's minimalistic bottom. Great casting choices, multiple roles for all. short and sweet
Don't see it if you are a traditionalist and don't welcome unique casting choices and interpretation
Critic Reviews (11)
"O'Hara's brisk production gets the story told, from Harfleur to Agincourt to an uneasy peace. But with the pointed exception of this final scene, it doesn't always seem to know which story it's telling. This version isn't an unthinking endorsement of rah-rah patriotism, but it's not really an attack on nation-building either; the critique stays personal. For large stretches it isn't much of anything except fast and mildly funny."
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"Casting a woman of color as Henry brings new layers to this already morally ambivalent drama, and Williams is fabulous...O'Hara plays up the text's humor almost to the point of parody; the French get the worst of it, as the cast goes full throttle into fey Gallic stereotype...Shows are free, so it may be churlish to complain that this production is too much fun...This 'Henry V' is one you can cheer for, but not one that commands your undying devotion."
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"Zenzi Williams charges into the title role with brio...The French King and his countrymen are portrayed with exaggerated snooty attitudes bringing some cartoonish humor into the proceedings, but the versatile ensemble is better showcased sharing the role of the commenting chorus...Mobile Unit productions are best seen as a celebration of our culture and imagined through the eyes of someone who may not be able to afford, or be able to physically attend, live theatre."
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"Williams, in the title role, makes quite clear that she is an actress gifted with a powerful presence and a well-honed classical technique...The rest of the cast is equally adept in classical theatre, but they aren't always well served by O'Hara's direction. His biggest error has been to encourage the actors, when they are playing members of the French court, to adopt caricatured French accents...O'Hara's direction is certainly pacey, but it's hard to detect a coherent point of view."
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"Acted with great energy and professionalism by a multiethnic group of talented young performers under the quirky but mostly effective direction of O'Hara...Williams does beautifully with her delivery of Shakespeare's great war orations...It's not all war stuff. The most crowd-pleasing depiction is that of Katherine...Kettig is very funny... Newcomers to the play, or to Shakespeare for that matter, ought to prepare a bit ahead of time, but even those familiar with both will find much to enjoy."
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"Shakespeare purists may be put off by the...laid-back, loosey-goosey style...Henry V is ripe for this type of minimalist theatrical treatment...Williams has got fire in her eyes and ferocity in her heart. When you hear her Saint Crispin's Day speech, you'll be ready to get up and follow her into battle yourself...O'Hara and Williams also put a surprising twist on the famous fifth-act seduction of Princess Katharine...It's a brave choice, and one that works brilliantly."
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"Though helmed unevenly...this Mobile Unit production scores with Williams in the nominal role...O'Hara's new take...could benefit from a less comic tone and more natural acting. With the exception of Williams, and a few other performers in the cast, the acting becomes too zany...Yet O'Hara and Williams together have opened the door wider for female actors, not only for stepping into the role of 'Henry V', but for tackling other major parts in Shakespeare's plays."
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"In the hands of Williams, Henry V is simply Henry, struggling with his position as king...Williams is remarkable. As is the rest of this ensemble. Ketting as Katherine is outrageously funny...War, the complexities of it, the greed of it, and this battle over land that Henry says is England's, and the loss of it, are all played out beautifully in this most exceptional of Shakespearean plays...Such a great way to bring your child, ten and older, to their first Shakespeare or their 20th."
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