Henry V, Propeller at YAT

It was amazing to walk into Yvonne Arnaud Theatre last evening to find it packed with people. Such is the draw of Propeller Theatre who are performing Henry V this week at YAT and will continue on with their tour well into 2012. Propeller is an all-male Shakespeare company that presents a very modern approach to the plays, mixing in modern music, imaginative sets and a very physical presence. Their artistic director, Edward Hall, denies any dumbing down, rather he makes the plays relevant to today with all their complexity, challenging the audience with each performance.

The stage is set

As we made our way to our seats, we noticed a couple of 'squaddies' at the edge of the theatre crowd dressed in camo trousers and vests - not the usual attire for YAT audiences. We squeezed into our seats and looked at the programme, noticing that there were 29 parts to be played, including three parts for women, by a cast of 14 men. The stage was set with various pieces of scaffolding, some wooden crates and a flagpole flying the English flag. The auditorium was packed and the doors were closed, but no lights went down. Suddenly the doors were flung open and a troop of soldiers marched in down the stairs to the stage singing as they marched. It certainly grabbed everyone's attention and we remained spellbound to the interval. - with just a dig in the ribs when Henry appeals to his troops to dive

'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.  -  -  -
-  -  -  The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Spoken from atop the scaffold and very rousing.

A capacity audience listen to the cast singing

 We went out into the foyer at the interval and discussed the action so far over an ice-cream, when suddenly the actors marched through from the auditorium, singing. They sang several songs, then explained they were raising money for charity, so please give generously while they sang some more, then marched back into the auditorium as the bell went for us to return to our seats for part 2. The charity they are supporting this year is Lifeworks; it is concerned with children with learning difficulties, giving them new opportunities as well as giving families support with respite care.

Part 2 was just as good as the first half and we were treated to ferocious battle scenes, a princess in the bath,  as well as the emotional speech of Henry on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, 25 October 1415 (St Crispin's Day):

The 'soldiers' march back to the auditorium

 ' - - -  And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
- - -'
At last the final couplet was uttered, the lights went down and a great cheer and applause broke out all over the theatre. What a wonderful response to this stirring production.


Propeller
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Lifeworks
About the feast of Crispin Crispian