Henry V

Propeller Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, Edward Hall, Roger Warren, Edward Hall, Roger Warren

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781849435697
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

Henry V dramatizes the legend of the heroic warrior-king who won the battle of Agincourt; but it also tells the more human story of a young king's psychological journey, learning to deal with the political realities of Church and State.As increasing numbers of British servicemen and women are seeing active service, Propeller brings its own unique take on one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Also features introduction from Ed Hall (Artistic Director of Propeller Theatre Company), notes on the design and music from members of the Propeller team, as well an introduction to the text by Shakesperean academic Roger Warren.

On stage, a central metal tower, providing an upper acting level; four ammunition boxes; two side staircases; and a flag with the red cross of St George.

SCENE ONE

	A company of soldiers enters through the audience, singing.
	Music: ‘Brown Eyes’.
	The company then delivers the first CHORUS, divided (like the subsequent ones) between them.
CHORUS 1	(Taking the crown from one of the ammunition boxes.)
	O for a muse of fire, that would ascend
	The brightest heaven of invention:
CHORUS 2	A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,
	And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.
CHORUS 3	Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
	Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,
	Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire
	Crouch for employment.
CHORUS 4	But pardon, gentles all,
	The flat unraisèd spirits that hath dared
	On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
	So great an object.
CHORUS 5	Can this cock-pit hold
	The vasty fields of France? Or may we cram
	Within this wooden O the very casques
	That did affright the air at Agincourt?
CHORUS 6	O pardon: since a crookèd figure may
	Attest in little place a million,
	And let us, ciphers to this great account,
	On your imaginary forces work.
CHORUS 7	Suppose within the girdle of these walls
	Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
	Whose high uprearèd and abutting fronts
	The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder.
CHORUS 8	Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts:
CHORUS 9	Into a thousand parts divide one man,
	And make imaginary puissance.
CHORUS 10	Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them,
	Printing their proud hoofs i...