Preview: Shakespeare’s Henry VI at The Rondo Theatre, Bath

Henry VI by William Shakespeare, Rondo Theatre, July 5th-Sat 8th, 7.30pm. A Preview – by Ian Diddams…….

Shakespeare wrote three plays about Henry VI – imaginatively entitled part1, part 2, and part 3. But in true George Lucas style, part 2 was written first, then part 3, with the prequel – part 1, written last.

So what is better than watching one Henry VI play? Watching all three, together of course! And that is exactly what the Rondo Theatre Company, handily placed, with nominative determinism, at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath is doing in early July this year, as its annual charity performance.

Now – Shakespeare has a bit of a reputation for lengthy plays. Hamlet takes about four hours to perform, and certainly several of his output would take over three hours easily. All three parts of Henry VI performed back-to-back would last longer than a day’s test cricket, with no likelihood of finishing early for bad light. But fear not – Director Nic Proud has taken Occam’s razor (and Wilkinson’s sword, not to mention Mac’s knife) to it all and has whittled it down to just the length of a football match plus a half time for a cup of Bovril and a meat pie.

I can feel the Shakespeare aficionados quaking already. But all the real essence of Henry VI is there – Margaret, the scandalous queen and her naughty boy Suffolk, arrogant Warwick making at least one king anyway, Richard P fighting for his right to party – well rule at least – Edward who eventually comes fo(u)rth, and of course the arch villain of the whole piece eventually, towering over everybody, Richard (do you see what I did there?). Oh – and some bloke called Henry VI apparently, all limp wristed, cuckolded and basically a bit rubbish as a wannabe king.

Rest assured though, dear reader and Shakespearean buff. This amalgamation of Henry VI belts along at frenetic pace, with daggers, swords, and treachery at every turn. Dash out to the loo and you are likely to miss at least one murder and a heap of skulduggery. In true weeping angels’ fashion, don’t blink!

We begin with Henry V’s death and the crowning of Henry VI – then a whirlwind marriage arraignment of Margaret (with Suffolk as her bit on the side of course), Richard Plantagenet’s vocal claim to the crown, top soldier Warwick’s clear-headed countenance, and the Wars of the Roses. The battles of Wakefield and Tewkesbury enacted on stage with swords and daggers a-flashing, with their deaths of Richard P and Prince Edward to boot. And of course the slaughter of the play’s titular character by bad boy Richard, and the elevation as monarch to Edward IV…. and a final twist in the tale from tricky Dicky himself.

Nine actors, one director and an assistant, a tech crew and the Rondo theatre. Plus a few swords, a couple of daggers and some stunning costumes by Chrissy Fry. And for a particular Devizes’ interest, two Devizes based actors (editor’s note: yes, it’s you and Lucy Upward, isn’t it? Cheeky!) appear as part of this too, you lucky people! The Rondo theatre is located just a 30 minute drive from Devizes, with lots of free evening street parking, with a pub and Indian restaurant handily located within 100m of each other – so make an evening out of it!

What more could really you ask for?

Henry VI is performed at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath between July 5th and 8th, 7.30 pm each evening. Proceeds from the performance will be donated to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, as this is the Rondo’s annual charity performance.

Tickets from
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/rondotheatre/henry-vi/e-zqyvmv

See you there – if you’re Bard enough!