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BrumHour saw Henry V at the invite of The RSC.
By David Fox x.com/DavidFoxTheatre
Henry V at The RSC Royal Shakespeare Theatre: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐An absolutely fantastic production
Directed by Tamara Harvey
Henry V is Shakespeare’s most famous history play, chronicling the transformation of a once wayward prince into a determined and calculating king, newly crowned and eager to prove his legitimacy.
Seizing upon a reckless insult from the French Dauphin, Henry launches a bold campaign to claim the French throne, framing his ambition as both rightful and divinely sanctioned. As he rallies his troops and inspires unity among his men, the play balances patriotism with the sobering realities of war, culminating in the brutal Battle of Agincourt.
Alfred Enoch’s Henry is a compelling, finely balanced performance—at once energetic, poised, and intriguingly mercurial. He brings both intensity and measured authority to the role.Henry V is packed with famous, stirring speeches that audiences often feel they could recite themselves, yet Enoch makes them feel fresh, delivering each line with clarity and conviction. While the Harfleur speech is played slightly more understated than expected, his St Crispin’s Day speech is rousing, powerful, and deeply patriotic, charged with an infectious energy.
The rest of the ensemble are equally strong, with several stand-outs. Michael Elcock’s Dauphin offers a sharp, modern contrast, his more elegant costume and tense presence setting him apart. Natalie Kimmerling is excellent as Katherine, the French princess eventually wooed by Henry, with her English lesson scene played for clever, understated comedy—reimagined here with a neat hospital twist. Paul Hunter’s Pistol nearly steals the show: a roguish, highly physical performance, full of humour, from his tight pantaloons and exaggerated walk to the memorable moment he’s beaten with a leek.
With certain Shakespeare plays I have no problem with modern updates and adaptations, however others (like the Histories and the Roman plays) I am a bit of a traditionalist and prefer a more contemporary Medieval setting. This production of Henry V is right up my street as it focuses purely on achieving the authentic look of the medieval monarch – the costumes, sets, perfectly evoke the period it is set in.
The staging is simple but very effective. A rough wooden frame, stained red to suggest blood, dominates the space, spanning the full height and width of the stage. The production opens with a solemn image of Henry’s father’s body lying in state, accompanied by choral chanting, which sets a serious tone. The frame then revolves to shift between locations—castle, captured village, even a stark set of gallows—working especially well in the more tense battle moments. It’s a stripped-back design that keeps the focus firmly on the performances.
An interesting conceit is the opening recap from another Shakespeare play – Henry IV, which helps foreground the father–son relationship and gives useful context to Henry’s character from the start. It’s also effective to have Henry and Katherine take on elements of the Chorus, stepping out to narrate events directly to the audience, which keeps the storytelling clear and adds a more personal, immediate feel to the production.
Following Pericles, Tamara Harvey and Alfred Enoch once again create something special, with a production that feels both rooted in tradition and strikingly modern. The direction is confident and clear, shaping a version of Henry V that is powerful, engaging, and full of energy. It’s an absolutely fantastic production and comes highly recommended.
Henry V is at The RSC Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 25th April 2026. Book tickets here: rsc.org.uk/henry-v.
