Insane Root Theatre Company has a reputation for bringing the bard to unexpected places – and their latest production of Henry V, staged in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Bristol’s Temple Church, is no exception. On a warm summer evening with a packed audience they delivered a powerful, inventive, and deeply moving performance that crackled with energy and wit.
Performed by a strong ensemble cast of all female and non-binary performers – Charlotte East, Esme Cook, Siobhan Bevan, Alice Barclay, Meg Lewis, Fowzia Radar, and Anabella O’Gorman. This production felt modern and eerily relevant with Shakespeare’s deep exploration of nationalism, leadership, and the cost of war.
Temple Church’s atmospheric ruins with crumbling stone walls and soaring gothic arches provided a dramatic and evocative setting, which the company used to full effect – entering through the original iron doors and from the ruined rooms and corridors of the church. The ancient structure became everything from the English court to the stormy battlefields of Agincourt.
A highlight of the production was the haunting use of music and sound. Alice Barclay’s violin playing mixed with the screams of battlefields and those of the live seagulls created a ghostly feel. Mixed with new, original and memorable songs composed by Ellian Showering. A standout was the “groat song” – a hilarious high tempo song which was felt as traditionally bawdy as Shakespearean!
The recurring tennis balls prop was a brilliant analogy. Beginning with the infamous insult from the Dauphin, a chest of tennis balls, sent to mock Henry as an untested youth. The balls reappeared throughout, ultimately representing the mounting death toll of the war. It was a chilling and clever choice that left a lasting impression.
The cast was uniformly excellent with most of the cast stepping into multiple roles. Charlotte East brought a huge presence to Henry, poised and commanding, yet vulnerable. Alice Barclay was the incredibly watchable chorus leading the story and audience along. The French characters, in contrast, were riotously funny from the suave and preening King of France to the deliciously risky scene between Princess Katherine and her companion, played with comic genius. The French lessons and double entendres were delivered with perfect timing, pushing the boundaries of propriety while staying grounded in character.
Each moment of the play felt choreographed with care allowing even the densest Shakespearean language to feel fresh and alive. Insane Root have created a must watch bold, funny and powerful performance showcasing the comedy and tragedy of Shakespeare and his enduring relevance.
Jacqui Ham
Henry V at Temple Church Bristol until Saturday 2 August.
To book https://www.insaneroot.org.uk/henry-v-temple-church