HENRY V

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Elizabeth Freestone

“I think the king is but a man.”

A divided nation. Trouble on the continent. An ambitious young prince.

Emerging from his wild youth with a sense of purpose and adventure, Henry V wages war on France with devastating efficiency. But at what cost? How can he be a good leader and a good man? What compromises must be made in the name of victory?

Shakespeare’s play is a thrilling examination of the nature of power. It explores the burden of leadership and explodes the myth of heroism. It depicts the powerful and the powerless fighting side by side. With characters drawn from across the United Kingdom, the play is a democratic portrayal of the ruler and the ruled.

Henry V compels us to examine our place in the world and look at our complex relationship with patriotism. Above all it speaks of the moral responsibility of our leaders: ‘Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own.’

★★★★ “A fine, deeply thoughtful production, which raises the question of what war does to its victors as much as to its victims. Strong performances across the impressive ensemble cast” The Guardian

★★★★ “Presented by the Bristol-based company Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory with a drum-tight ensemble, it’s a deft and timely portrayal of a divided nation forced to rally behind an uncertain leader… moment after moment pierces and startles” The Times

★★★★ “The most intelligent, compelling and pertinent Shakespeare production I have seen for some time. A real accomplishment” The Sunday Times

★★★★ “A bold and exhilarating production” The Stage

★★★★ “Crisply acted with rewarding innovations … a cast without fault” Bristol Post

“Ben Hall as Henry leads a strong ensemble whose delivery is uniformly excellent … engaging, fine acting and staging, a refreshingly new approach” Bath Chronicle

“Breath-Taking. An engaging, thrilling and deeply moving piece of theatre” Swindon Advertiser

“A triumph… A thrilling, thought provoking version of Henry V” Fine Times Recorder

Production photographs by Craig Fuller

Ben Hall as Henry and Alice Barclay as Exeter - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Alice Barclay as Exeter - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Chris Donnelly as Pistol - Henry V Photos Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katherine - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Alice Barclay as Exeter and Ben Hall as Henry V - photo Craig Fuller web

Amy Rockson as Montjoy - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Ben Hall as Henry V - Photo Craig Fuller (2)web

Heledd Gwynn as Katharine and Ben Hall as Henry V - Photo Credit Craig Fuller web

Luke Grant as York - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katherine and Alan Coveney as Charles - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Ben Hall as Henry V - Photo Craig Fuller (3) web

Eastcheap gang - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

David Osmond as Fluellen - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Melody Brown as Gower - Henry V photo Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katharine - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Rosie Armstrong as Bardolph and Melody Brown as Mistress Quickly - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katharine - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller (3) web

Ben Hall as Henry V - Photo Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katharine - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller (2) web

Zachary Powell as Orleans and Chris Donnelly as Pistol - Henry V Photo Craig Fuller web

Heledd Gwynn as Katharine Henry V - Photos Craig Fuller web

Corey Montague- Sholay as Boy - Henry V Photos Craig Fuller web