Destination: Henry V at The Coop at Pacific Resident Theatre, Venice
Cost: $25.00 plus gas
My connection with Mr. Wmm. Shakspeare goes way back. I
competed in Shakespearean acting competitions as a teen, studied Elizabethan
theater at UCLA and in London and helped found a theatre company focused on the
classics in Mammoth Lakes.
Even so, I wasn’t that excited about attending the Coop of
Pacific Resident Theatre’s (PRT) acclaimed production of Henry V. I’ve never
found Shakespeare’s “history” plays compelling and, like many, think they’re
hard to understand and a bit dull – beautiful language notwithstanding.
But PRT’s production is riveting – presented with a clarity and
through-force of energy that carries the actors and audience along for the two
hour ride. This show, under the inspired direction of Guillermo Cienfuegos (actor
Alex Fernandez’ alter ego) features talented actors who
clearly represent their motives, even while playing multiple parts. Without sets
or costumes and using only minimal props, the choreographed staging manages to evoke a ship at sea, tents on the battlefield, throne rooms and a
bloody battle.
When I recall some of the most memorable Shakespeare plays
I’ve seen – Peter Brook’s Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Julius Caesar directed by
Trevor Nunn and a Royal Shakespeare Company production of As You Like it with Eileen Atkins – this production of Henry V is
in the same class. Bravo to PRT – they brought this challenging play to life.
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