Document text
July 3, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels June 22, 2004 In Review End of 'Henry' gets 'A' for effort By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings The Oregon Shakespeare Festival unveiled one of its more ambitious projects Saturday night, debuting Henry VI Parts Two and Three in one full production. While it was the first time both parts had been performed as one production at OSF, it was apparent from the start that each actor, many of whom had multiple roles, had done their homework. The acting was brilliant, while the play itself fell far short of other, better-known Shakespeare works. The length, just a couple of minutes under three hours, and the tenor of the first act were the only problems in the evening. The first act, setting up the "War of the Roses" in Britain and the eventual fall of King Henry VI, was slow and featured typical Shakespeare soliloquies. The play, which was condensed from two separate plays into one, would have been better served if the first act had been chopped in half. Much of the first act seemed repetitious. The second act, featuring the angst of civil (or should I say uncivil war) started strongly and kept up a fast pace throughout. It made for wonderful theater acted by extremely talented actors. The funny thing was that my initial reaction was that the two weakest characters in the play are the wimpy King Henry VI and his conniving, cheating, despicable wife Queen Margaret. But upon further review and much thought, it was actually brilliant casting. Cristofer Jean (Henry) does not in any way look or sound kingly. And that is the exact point I was missing. King Henry was not very regal or royal. He was a wimp who was dominated by his wife. Robin Goodrin Nordli, as Margaret, was so convincing, she had most of the audience disliking her. While she became a more sympathetic figure in Act II, she was still hardly likable. The true scene stealers in Act I were Mark Murphey, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester; Robert Sicular, Duke of Buckingham; and Christopher DuVal, Duke of Somerset. All three had a great deal of the lines and scenes in Act I. DuVal is a gem that Shakespeare should never let get away. All three actors made the audience believe they were privy to the pomp and circumstance of King Henry's court while also being a part of the planning for the fall of the young king. Act II deals with the War of the Roses, which was not a real war but a civil uprising that eventually and sadly pitted brother against brother and son against father. In the battle, Edward's forces take control and the march is on to London to crown him King. Once there, he names his brothers George and Richard as Duke of Clarence and Duke of Gloucester. And this is where the play takes a unique and comical turn as Richard (played beautifully by James Newcomb) shows Shakespeare's wit and humorous side. First, he asks the new king if he can be the Duke of Clarence as Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous. Then, in one of Shakespeare's most underrated soliloquies, Richard talks to the audience as if they are his loyal subjects and he is letting them in on his little secret. Richard is deformed and walks with the aid of crutches. But, deep inside, he may be the strongest person in the kingdom. And one who matches Margaret in his conniving spirit. He shows that strength in a rather humorous conversation where he tells the audience he will someday be king, even if it means killing everyone in his way. That would include the king himself, Clarence, King Henry, Prince Edward and any of their sons. His depravity and zealousness for the crown is borne out of his deformity. As he feels he has always been deprived of proper pleasures, Richard seems to be showing that he will finally find unknown pleasure in ascending to the throne. And he shows, in his speech, just how devious his mind is. Overall, Henry VI Parts Two and Three, despite its first act, was a satisfying evening of Shakespeare. The backdrop of the Elizabethan Stage made for the perfect setting for an imperfect play. Co-directors Libby Appel and Scott Kaiser are to be commended for undertaking such an ambitious project. Their casting touch again shows the true strength of the festival, that it is not the plays but the players that make the festival great. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams