Civil unrest, trouble with Europe, the death of a monarch… Experience Shakespeare’s unnervingly relevant Henry V in a production that offers a different perspective on England’s fifteenth-century hero.
Henry, the young and newly crowned king, is impatient to assert control over the people of England. Having received a humiliating gift from overseas, his bruised ego leads him to double down on a military invasion abroad in a bid to expand his green and pleasant land. But at what devastating cost?
Witness Henry’s bombastic pursuit of power, throwing into question what it really means to be English.
We spoke to Oliver Johnstone, who plays the lead role in this production of Henry V.
How are you feeling about your upcoming run at Worthing?
I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never performed at the Connaught but heard great things from friends who have. And it’s always nice to be beside the sea.
Tell us a bit about the themes of the play and what you hope to share with the audience.
Henry V is Shakespeare’s iconic war play. So it’s about power, masculinity, nationalism and violence.
I hope that we’re taking one of Shakespeare’s big hits and reframing slightly it to present a truly fresh and bold interpretation. It’s a story about a new King, an invasion and a war within Europe. So it feels almost painfully relevant to be bringing Henry V into the 21st century.
What’s your character like?
Our version of Henry is not the flag-waving warrior that many people may be used to. In rehearsals we explored the idea that he’s a man who has power thrust onto him, unsure of his own abilities to lead, perhaps suffering from a kind of impostor syndrome and living in the shadow of his father. Over the course of the play you see how he battles not only the French, but himself as well. It’s quite a journey for him. He’s flawed, determined and ruthless.
How do you prepare for each show?
As you can imagine, there’s a fair bit of violence and ugliness in the play. So before the show the cast meet onstage to check in and remind ourselves that we actually all like each other get along very well in real life. And then we go through the fights and warm up a bit.
What’s your favourite bit?
There’s a dance in it. I like that bit.
And your least favourite?!
There’s a scene I’m in towards the end of the play which is deeply uncomfortable. But I won’t spoil it.
What does Henry V mean to you on both a personal level and a professional one?
Well Henry is not a part I thought I would get the chance to play! So it’s still a bit of a surprise but I’m finding the challenge of playing such a complex character very rewarding. Particularly in a production which feels like it offers a completely new take on Shakespeare’s iconic “hero”. And I’ve loved collaborating with such a talented, funny and supportive team.