Season 30 Play 8 – The Life Of Henry The Fifth by William Shakespeare
Directed by
Cast
English Court:-
King Henry the Fifth – David West
Duke of Bedford – Andrew Cawood
Duke of Exeter – Gordon Cole
Earl of Salisbury – lan Booth
Earl of Westmorland – Robert Shaw
Archbishop of Canterbury – Leslie Poynter
Bishop of Ely – James Ireland
Conspirators against the king:-
Richard Earl of Cambridge – John Taylor
Henry Lord Scroop – Martin Milnes
Sir Thomas Grey – David Crossley
Officers in the king’s army:-
Sir Thomas Erpingham – John Spence
Captain Fluellen – Gordon Sugden
Captain Gower – Peter Harris
Captain Jamy – Richard Sowter
Captain McMorris – John Taylor
Soldiers in the king’s army:-
John Bates – Jason Haigh
Alexander Court – Alan Greenwood
Michael Williams – Richard Walker
Camp followers in the king’s army:-
Bardolph – Vic Hall
Nym – Geoff Smith
Pistol – Arnold Riddiough
Boy – John Richardson
Hostess of an Eastcheap Tavern (formerly Mistress Quickly, now married to Pistol) – Barbara Bailey
English Usher – David Baines
Serjeant at Arms – Alan Greenwood
Sword Bearer – Jason Haigh
Banner Bearer – David Baines
French Court:-
Charles the Sixth of France – George G. Pickles
Lewis the Dauphin – Robert Anderson
Duke of Burgundy – David Sinfield
Duke of Orleans – Brian Dawkes
Charles Delabreth (the Constable of France) – Philip Millard
Grandpré (French Lord) – James Ireland
Rambures (French Lord) – lan Wilkinson
The Governor of Harfleur – Leslie Poynter
Montjoy (a French Herald) – Brian Baines
French Ambassador – Allan Stewart
Monsieur Le Fleur (a French soldier) – Nick Teed
Isabel (Queen of France) – Mary Woolridge
Katherine (daughter of the King and Queen of France) – Susanne Lakin
Alice (Lady-in-waiting to Katherine) – Mary Booth
Ladies-in-Waiting to Queen Isabel – Pat Bridgewater, Nadine Walker
French Usher – Anthony Booth
Banner Bearer – Anthony Booth
Children of Harfleur – Sarah Chatwin, Lorraine Cowburn
Court Musician – Tony Reavill
Synopsis
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Directors Notes
PRINCE HENRY, NOW KING HENRY, has rejected his former companions and is persuaded by the Archbishops of Canterbury and Ely to invade France. The Dauphin rejects Henry’s claims by a gift of tennis balls. Before Henry’s embarkation for France, the traitors Scroop, Cambridge and Grey are exposed and condemned.
Mistress Quickly tells Nym, Bardolph and Pistol of Falstaff’s death, and the three companions, with the Boy, set out for France. Harfleur is beseiged and surrenders. Now France mobilises- Henry has reached Picardy–his army exhausted and weakened by disease. Henry visits his army incognito and is challenged by Williams to a duel.
Next morning Henry attacks. When he discovers that the baggage train has been looted, and the boys guarding it killed, Henry orders the massacre of all French prisoners.
The battle goes well for Henry-Williams comes to claim the duel–Fluellen is persuaded to take Henry’s part-they are reconciled–victory is announced–the losses are miraculously small.
Henry gives thanks to God_Pistol meets his nemesis. A peace conference is called- Henry offers a settlement provided he can marry Katherine. Henry is accepted by Katherine, and his terms by the French King and the play ends in mutual rejoicing.
