LONG MAY THIS PRODUCTION REIGN
Since its first production opened in Balboa Park in 1935, the Old Globe Theatre has built a national reputation for ambitious and stimulating productions, but this summer the company’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s history trilogy Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III has raised the bar to what must surely be new artistic heights for the company. Artistic director Barry Edelstein is presiding over a staging that is top of the line in both its performance and design achievements.
The cast of Henry 6
The work has commonly been named Henry, Parts I, II, and III reflecting that Shakespeare originally wrote a trilogy. The Old Globe has abbreviated the title to Henry 6. Edelstein has condensed the 900-line original to about 600 lines, 85% of them taken from the original text. The revival is presented as two plays seen on two separate evenings, “Flowers and France” and “Riot and Reckoning.” Each is divided into two acts performed by 30 actors, most of them playing multiple roles.
Tally Sessions as Talbot
The story centers around the turbulent reign of the English King Henry VI in the 15th century. A decent but weak man, Henry is out of his depth amid the vicious political fight for power within England’s dominating royal House of Plantagenet from about 1455 to 1487. The betrayal-drenched conflict particularly pitted the House of York, symbolized by a white rose, against the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose. This period is thus called the Wars of the Roses.
Cassia Thompson as Joan
“Flowers and France” sets up the major characters who turn the Wars of the Roses into the raging bloodbath of the second part. The plays are primarily about the battle for the English crown between the houses of York and Lancaster. The Lancastrian King Henry is no match for the forces led by the Duke of York who is ultimately defeated by the forces of the ruthless and relentless Queen Margaret, the king’s wife. The slaughter ends. at least temporarily, with the Duke of Gloucester, York’s son. pondering the capture of the crown by any means necessary. We will meet him in a later history play as the villainous Richard III.
Mike Sears as Cardinal, Ian Lassiter as Gloucester, Elizabeth A. Davis as Margaret,
Keshav Moodliar as King Henry VI, and Victor Morris as Salisbury
The newcomer to the Shakespeare history initially may have difficulties following the flood of royal names like Gloucester, Buckingham, Somerset, Westmoreland, Talbot, Winchester, Rutland, Salisbury, Suffolk, and Clifford. And the distinctive Elizabethan dialect could cause difficulties until the audience ear adjusts. But these are minor distractions compared to the production’s achievements.
The cast of Henry 6
I’ve seen more than 200 Shakespeare performances in the United States and Canada and this Old Globe production matches up with the best of them, beginning with Keeshav Moodliar as Henry 6 and Elizaberh A. Davis as Queen Margaret. In range and intensity they dominate the stage every moment they speak. Davis virtually takes over the second play with her white hot performance. There is also superb work from Mahira Kakkar (Eleanor), William DeMeritt (York), Gregg Mozgala (Gloucester), Sofia Jean Gomez (Warwick), Tally Sessions (Jake Cade), Jose Balestrieri (Clifford), and Cassia Thompson (Joan of Arc). Indeed every actor with a major speaking role deserves a gold star.
William DeMeritt as York, Gregg Mozgala as Richard, Keshav Moodliar as King Henry VI
Lawrence E. Moten III‘s scenic design effectively blends Elizabethan and modern that fit smoothly in the amphitheater. David Israel Reynoso designed the historically credible costumes. Mextly Couzin designed the lighting, Melanie Chen Cole the sound design, and Caite Hevner the projections (notably a series of videos that deftly uses audience members in filmed interludes and even a power point presentation).
(center, from left) Elizabeth A. Davis as Queen Margaret and Cassia Thompson as Prince Edward
The Old Globe states that nearly 1,000 San Diegans have participated in this complex endeavor on stage or back stage. Bravo to all of them. Finally, grateful words of praise go to Barry Edelstein, who serves as adaptor and director. An amazing achievement!
William DeMeritt as York with the cast of Henry 6
photos by by Rich Soublet II
Keshav Moodliar as King Henry VI
Henry 6
The Old Globe Theatre
Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way
in rotation Tues through Sun at 8
ends on September 15, 2024
for tickets ($35-$116), call 619.234.5623 or visit The Old Globe