Henry V by William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in the Ruins at the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, Thursday May 31, 2012
Reviewed by Stephanie Adamov
Patiently awaited and greatly anticipated, Shakespeare in the Ruins returns to the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park. For ten years the company has been waiting for the renewal and revitalization of the provincial legacy. Despite the long time away from the park, SIR volunteers and company members were simply overjoyed to welcome audiences back to their newly renovated home.
This ecstasy was felt throughout Thursday’s opening of Shakespeare’s war drama, Henry V. Whether it was the reception of each guest as greeted by the volunteers, or director and artistic co-chair Michelle Boulet’s personal welcome to the audience, the night was one of hospitality and absolute delight.
Gordon Tanner, Karl Thordarson, Toby Hughes, Glen Thompson, Andrew Cecon; image by Allen Fraser
In promenade style, the audience moves with the actors and scenic progression of time and location. The Chorus, played by the tree-climbing, wall-jumping and co-artistic chair Kevin Klassen, invites the audience to let our “imaginary forces work…” and for “humble patience pray gently to hear and humbly judge the play.”
Set designer Brian Perchaluk did much to aid the imagination of the audience through his utility of the found spaces. Whether visualizing a journey back and forth from England and France, or recruitment into the trenches, to the façade of the church representing the French Palace at Calais, simple additions to given areas supplemented the existing landscape of the provincial heritage park.
Boulet aspired to present the Bard’s play against the backdrop of The Great War. Henry played by the vernal Toby Hughes is embarking to conquer France. Through his eloquence and fearless commitment to the crown he places personal relationships aside in the pursuit of victory. His disposition is costly and he is humbled by the horrors of war though the credit of his victory reigns with God.
Dramatic tension perhaps could have been expanded overall throughout the play. Although forewarned to use our imagination to fill in the sounds of war cries and guns, the potential coupled with the outdoor location could have allowed for more sound effects and music, specifically with the execution of three of King Henry’s courtiers and the invasion of the French slaughtering the boys on the English front.
When the music composed by Sarah Constible and Michelle Boulet was heard, it was extremely well used and aided in scenic context and construction of character. An antique piano on wheels provided by property coordinator Steve Vande Vyvere travelling from various scenes was quite a feat for the various terrains found within the area near the Ruins.
Sarah Constible acted as musician in addition to several characters including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Nell, and Alice. Her versatility shines as she jumps in to fill as a soldier or provides an English lesson to Katherine. Quick to capture a slight glance or subtle smile, she provides much comedy in the piece.
Costume coordinator Thora Lamont dressed the players in pristine garments establishing an authenticity to the piece. Regardless of the numerous costume and character changes, the play moved fluidly with an ability to differentiate and recognize the French and the British soldiers and various characters throughout many, many scenic changes and transitions. The fluidity also attested to the hard work, so often unnoticed, of stage manager Lisa Nelson and apprentice stage manager Jessica Freundl.
As a return to the Ruins, the audience need not fear if you don’t BYOB (bugspray and/or blanket). The hospitable and dedicated staff /volunteers at SIR will provide such novelties and necessities as the sun goes down on a spring Winnipeg evening. The actors will assist and guide you from scene to scene and will be the first to warn you if you sit in the way of a siege. Although not the most riveting of Shakespearean classics, Henry V is an experience and a tribute to the historical legacy of Shakespeare in the Ruins.
Henry Vby William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in the Ruins at the Trappist Monastery and Provincial Park, St. Norbert. Showtimes: May 31-June 23, 7:30 pm with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm.
There’s No Place like Home for Henry V
Columns
Henry V by William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in the Ruins at the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, Thursday May 31, 2012
Reviewed by Stephanie Adamov
Patiently awaited and greatly anticipated, Shakespeare in the Ruins returns to the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park. For ten years the company has been waiting for the renewal and revitalization of the provincial legacy. Despite the long time away from the park, SIR volunteers and company members were simply overjoyed to welcome audiences back to their newly renovated home.
This ecstasy was felt throughout Thursday’s opening of Shakespeare’s war drama, Henry V. Whether it was the reception of each guest as greeted by the volunteers, or director and artistic co-chair Michelle Boulet’s personal welcome to the audience, the night was one of hospitality and absolute delight.
Gordon Tanner, Karl Thordarson, Toby Hughes, Glen Thompson, Andrew Cecon; image by Allen Fraser
In promenade style, the audience moves with the actors and scenic progression of time and location. The Chorus, played by the tree-climbing, wall-jumping and co-artistic chair Kevin Klassen, invites the audience to let our “imaginary forces work…” and for “humble patience pray gently to hear and humbly judge the play.”
Set designer Brian Perchaluk did much to aid the imagination of the audience through his utility of the found spaces. Whether visualizing a journey back and forth from England and France, or recruitment into the trenches, to the façade of the church representing the French Palace at Calais, simple additions to given areas supplemented the existing landscape of the provincial heritage park.
Boulet aspired to present the Bard’s play against the backdrop of The Great War. Henry played by the vernal Toby Hughes is embarking to conquer France. Through his eloquence and fearless commitment to the crown he places personal relationships aside in the pursuit of victory. His disposition is costly and he is humbled by the horrors of war though the credit of his victory reigns with God.
Dramatic tension perhaps could have been expanded overall throughout the play. Although forewarned to use our imagination to fill in the sounds of war cries and guns, the potential coupled with the outdoor location could have allowed for more sound effects and music, specifically with the execution of three of King Henry’s courtiers and the invasion of the French slaughtering the boys on the English front.
When the music composed by Sarah Constible and Michelle Boulet was heard, it was extremely well used and aided in scenic context and construction of character. An antique piano on wheels provided by property coordinator Steve Vande Vyvere travelling from various scenes was quite a feat for the various terrains found within the area near the Ruins.
Sarah Constible acted as musician in addition to several characters including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Nell, and Alice. Her versatility shines as she jumps in to fill as a soldier or provides an English lesson to Katherine. Quick to capture a slight glance or subtle smile, she provides much comedy in the piece.
Costume coordinator Thora Lamont dressed the players in pristine garments establishing an authenticity to the piece. Regardless of the numerous costume and character changes, the play moved fluidly with an ability to differentiate and recognize the French and the British soldiers and various characters throughout many, many scenic changes and transitions. The fluidity also attested to the hard work, so often unnoticed, of stage manager Lisa Nelson and apprentice stage manager Jessica Freundl.
As a return to the Ruins, the audience need not fear if you don’t BYOB (bugspray and/or blanket). The hospitable and dedicated staff /volunteers at SIR will provide such novelties and necessities as the sun goes down on a spring Winnipeg evening. The actors will assist and guide you from scene to scene and will be the first to warn you if you sit in the way of a siege. Although not the most riveting of Shakespearean classics, Henry V is an experience and a tribute to the historical legacy of Shakespeare in the Ruins.
Henry V by William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in the Ruins at the Trappist Monastery and Provincial Park, St. Norbert. Showtimes: May 31-June 23, 7:30 pm with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm.