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[an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) D an Donohue (left) as Hal in the OSF 1999 production of `Henry IV, Part 2' at the deathbed of his father Henry (Neal Schmidtke). Photo by David Cooper. Playing Hal in all three histories By Larry Berteau Ashland Daily Tidings "Once more into the breach, dear friends," is the rousing plea of Henry V on the battlefield of Agincourt as he firmly grasps his role as king. OSF's Dan Donohue, who wears the king's clothes in the 2000 OSF production of "Henry V," hears personal echoes when he makes the famous entreaty. As the history of a king is chronicled in "Henry IV" Parts I and II, and concludes in "Henry V," so the ongoing acting history of Donohue at OSF continues. Donohue's first "serious" leading role was two years ago when he was cast as Prince Hal - the future Henry V - in "Henry IV, Part I." "At the time, I thought how I'd love to play the character through (all three plays)," Donohue said. "I remember thinking how I would have to look at the whole character, connect all the dots. "But I wasn't ready." As Donohue believed he wasn't up to it - yet - oddly neither did Hal. Following the Prince Hal season of '98, Donohue was surprised when OSF Artistic Director Libby Appel tapped him for the same role in the '99 play "Henry IV, Part II." "Libby took the risk," Donohue said. "I had thought if they wanted me to, I'd be ready (as an actor). At least, I'd be closer. Each Henry role is bigger than the one before. I was being forced to grow." As Donohue took another step up the acting ladder, so did Henry as the once and future king. In the final performance of the season of "Henry IV, Part II," when Henry's father is dying, Donohue found himself choked with emotion. "My father (in the play) wasn't coming back," Donohue said, recalling the final scene of the play. "He told me I would soon be king. `I won't be here to help you' he tells me. It resonated in me. Might I be that king, I wondered." And like Henry, would he be ready? And like Henry, he had his version of an actor's coronation. Appel crowned Donohue with the lead of "Henry V" for the 2000 season. "Henry has a line," Donohue said. " `All things are ready if our minds be so.' That was me. Like Henry, the process had put me there. Now, I must launch into it, make it my own." The role, the actor, the king, the play, strutting on the stage in harmonious celebration of all their causes - and necessities. "I soon discovered there's less detail in Henry, as king, and it's a much bigger journey," Donohue said. "There's no Falstaff, no Hotspur, not nearly as much of a team effort. My character drives the play." As Henry became a better leader (in "Henry V"), Donohue became a better actor, he said. Like Henry's father, Appel had more faith in Donohue "than I did," he said. "Halfway through the play, Henry never feels comfortable in the role of king," Donohue said, exploring himself and the character. "After all, he became the heir-apparent through a usurping father. Where do I belong, he wonders. "For me, I'm a character actor. I would never play Henry away from reality. But that's perfect for the role. Henry is always putting on masks. He's not a warrior king, and nor am I." In the end of the play, Henry is truly the king. Although there's not much to celebrate, the horror of the number of lives lost taints the triumph. But in that final moment, Henry finds his true role. And Dan? "I feel it now," he said. "This one is mine." And after a hesitation of Henry proportion, he added: "I'm proud, and surprised, that it does fit." Henry formulates in the play's final scene, "I know all this, therefore I am a king." And Donohue has become a king in his own right. [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2000 Lee Northwest Publishing