In focus: Gregory Doran 2015

Gregory Doran's lucid production of Henry V marked the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

Alex Hassell as Henry V in Henry V.
Alex Hassell as Henry V, 1984, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

FROM STRATFORD TO CHINA

Artistic Director Gregory Doran’s production of Henry V opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in September 2015. It transferred to the Barbican Theatre, London, as part of ‘King and Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings’, to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 2016.

The production was broadcast live into cinemas worldwide and streamed into schools as well being made into a Henry V DVD. In early 2016, the show toured to China and the USA.

A CLEAR PRODUCTION

Doran was commended for directing a robust and clear production. He "avoids triumphalism while staying clear of any specifically anti-war interpretation", Susannah Clapp, Observer, 22 November 2015.

"Admit me Chorus to this history"  Prologue, Henry V

Some reviewers drew attention to the quirky cardigan-and-corduroy-clad Chorus of Oliver Ford Davies, who, resembling a senior academic, wandered onstage to comment on the play. This casual modern-dress Chorus was a cross between 'an old-fashioned telly don and a Shakespearean foreign correspondent', Susannah Clapp.

 

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Joshua Richards as Bardolph in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Jim Hooper as Cantebury and the cast of Henry V in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Daniel Abbott as Gloucester, Alex Hassell as Henry V and Dale Mathurin as Bedford in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Chorus and Conspirators

Oliver Ford Davies as Chorus in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

The cast of Henry V in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Daniel Abbott as Gloucester, Alex Hassell as Henry V and Dale Mathurin as Bedford in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Christopher Middleton as Nym in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Chorus and Conspirators

Obioma Ugoala as Grey, Simon Yadoo as Cambridge and Keith Osborn as Scroop in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Sarah Parks as Mistress Quickly and Joshua Richards as Bardolph in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Antony Byrne as Pistol, Christopher Middleton as Nym, Joshua Richards as Bardolph, Sarah Parks as Mistress Quickly, Martin Bassindale as Boy in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Antony Byrne as Pistol, Christopher Middleton as Nym, Joshua Richards as Bardolph, Sarah Parks as Mistress Quickly, Martin Bassindale as Boy in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Evelyn Miller as Rambures, Nicholas Gerard-Martin as Orleans, Simon Thorp as King of France, Sam Marks as Constable of France, Robert Gilbert as Dauphin in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Robert Gilbert as Dauphin in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Simon Thorp as King of France in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Chorus and Conspirators

Oliver Ford Davies as Chorus in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Sean Chapman as Exeter in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Antony Byrne as Pistol in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Alex Hassell as Henry V in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Martin Bassindale as Boy in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The British Captains

Obioma Ugoala as Gower in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Simon Thorp as King of France in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The British Captains

Andrew Westfield as MacMorris and Simon Yadoo as Jamy in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The British Captains

Andrew Westfield as MacMorris in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Antony Byrne as Pistol in Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Nicholas Gerard-Martin as Orleans, Robert Gilbert as Dauphin, Evelyn Miller as Rambures and Sam Marks as Constable of France in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The English Soldiers

Simon Yadoo as Michael Williams in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The English Soldiers

Andrew Westfield as Court in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Martin Bassindale as Boy in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Sam Marks as Constable of France, Evelyn Miller as Rambures, Keith Osborn as Montjoy and Nicholas Gerard-Martin as Orleans in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The English Soldiers

Dale Mathurin as Bates in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Daniel Abbott as Monsieur Le Fer in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Alex Hassell as Henry V in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The Boar's Head Tavern Crew

Antony Byrne as Pistol and Daniel Abbott as Monsieur Le Fer in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Nicholas Gerard-Martin as Orleans in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Sam Marks as Constable of France in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Joshua Richards as Fluellen, Jim Hooper as Erpingham, Alex Hassell as Henry V and Dale Mathurin as Bates in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The English Soldiers

Andrew Westfield as Court, Obioma Ugoala as Gower, Alex Hassel l as Henry V, Martin Bassindale as Boy and Joshua Richards as Fluellen in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The British Captains

Joshua Richards as Fluellen in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Evelyn Miller as Lady-in-Waiting, Jennifer Kirby as Katherine and Leigh Quinn as Alice in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Henry and his Counsel

Alex Hassell as Henry V in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Evelyn Miller as Rambures in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Jane Lapotaire as Queen Isobel in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Leigh Quinn as Alice in Henry V.

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The French

Jennifer Kirby as Katherine in Henry V. 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

REHEARSAL PHOTOS

Jennifer Kirby in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Daniel Abbott, Dale Mathurin and Sean Chapman in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Oliver Ford Davies in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Alex Hassell and Jennifer Kirby in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Simon Yadoo and Andrew Westfield in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Robert Gilbert in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The company of Henry V in rehearsal

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Alex Hassell in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Evelyn Miller in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Sam Marks in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Antony Byrne in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Leigh Quinn in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

Alex Hassell in rehearsal for Henry V

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images

The company of Henry V in rehearsal 

Photo by Keith Pattison © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

A SELF-POSSESSED HENRY

In addition to playing Hal in both parts of Henry IV, Alex Hassell also performed the title role in Henry V. "A modest crown on his head, his clothes medieval-effect with a dash of modern, he convinces...as a natural warrior who has cast off his former levity", Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 23 September 2015.

Hassell was praised for his courtship of the French princess Katherine, where he skid towards her on his knees, providing some light relief after war.

Alex Hassell standing in front of the Chinese poster of himself with his head under the crown

CHINA TOUR 2016

In early 2016, Gregory Doran's productions of Henry IV Part 1 and 2, and Henry V toured to Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, the Shanghai Grand Theatre and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. You can see more photos from the tour, including some candid images, on our Touring in China page.

A person stands in a blue-lit transparent box with his hands in the air.

Poster with Chinese writing showing man on throne for Henry V 2015 China Tour
Poster for China tour of King and Country, 2016, featuring Alex Hassell.
Directed by Gregory Doran © RSC Browse and license our images

HENRY V IN MANDARIN

In 2015 we launched Shakespeare Folio Project to produce new Chinese translations of Shakespeare’s plays for local performers and audiences. Henry V was translated by So Kwok Wan, polished by Nick Yu Rongjun and based on a literal translation of Zhang Chong. Owen Horsley, who was Associate Director on the 'King and Country' productions, directed a Mandarin version of Henry V in Shanghai in November 2016.

Model of set for Henry V 2015 showing interior of ecclesiastical building with vaulted arches
Model Box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

GLIMMERING SETS

Regular collaborator with director Gregory Doran, Stephen Brimson Lewis was the designer for Henry V. His striking sets combined with Tim Mitchell's lighting to create some memorable images, "so that ecclesiastical arches seem to grow out of a briar-scored sky" - Susannah Clap.

In the following galleries you can explore designer Stephen Brimson Lewis's model boxes for the sets and the lighting positions.

Model Box Gallery

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images

Model box for Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

SET POSITION GALLERY

Set position for Act 1, Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designed by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 3 Scene 4 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designed by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 3 Scene 6 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 3 Scene 7 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 4 Scene 1 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 2 Scene 4 (the French court) of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 4 Scene 3 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 4 Scene 4 (Monsieur Le Fer) of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 4 Scene 7 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 5 Scene 2 (the final scene) of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 3 Scene 1 (Harfleur) of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 2 Scene 3 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 1 Scene 2 (Tennis Balls) of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 2 Scene 1 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images

Set lighting position for Act 4 Scene 1 of Henry V, 2015, Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Lighting designer by Tim Mitchell © RSC Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

Henry V Act 3 Scene 1

Henry V 3 1 Video
Play

CAST AND CREATIVES

Daniel Abbot – Duke of Gloucester, Monsieur le Fer

Martin Bassindale - Boy

Antony Byrne - Pistol

Sean Chapman – Duke of Exeter

Oliver Ford Davies - Chorus

Nicholas Gerard-Martin – Bishop of Ely, Duke of Orleans

Robert Gilbert - Dauphin

Alex Hassell – Henry V

Jim Hooper – Archbishop of Canterbury, Erpingham

Jennifer Kirby - Katherine

Jane Lapotaire – Queen Isobel

Sam Marks – Constable of France

Dale Mathurin – Duke of Bedford, Bates

Christopher Middleton – Earl of Warwick, Nym, Governor of Harfleur

Evelyn Miller – Rambures, Lady-in-Waiting

Keith Osborn – Lord Scroop, Montjoy

Sarah Parks – Mistress Quickly

Leigh Quinn - Alice

Joshua Richards – Bardolph, Fluellen

Simon Thorp – Charles VI

Obioma Ugoala – Grey, Gower

Andrew Westfield – Earl of Westmoreland, Macmorris

Simon Yadoo – Earl of Cambridge, Jamy

 

CREATIVES

 

Director –Gregory Doran

Designer - Stephen Brimson Lewis

Lighting designer – Tim Mitchell

Sound designer - Martin Slavin

Music -Paul Englishby

 

The RSC's archive is held at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. You can visit the Library and Archives there to look at production related information, including photos, videos of shows and stage management documents:

Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive homepage

You can search the RSC catalogue here: 

RSC performance database

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