The Rose, Bankside is in the middle of a major restoration project so plays are performed on a small raised platform that is stage and ‘auditorium’.
Director Bronagh Lagan had a master stroke in choosing to use the whole of the space for her production of Henry VI part 1. Lagan had a ready-made set – dank, dark, full of ominous threat. This was high quality, dramatic storytelling performed by a company of young players, who wobbled a bit at first but quickly got into their stride. Naturally, there was doubling up of parts and this was done well to avoid confusion – David Vaughan Knight did a fine line in leering as Charles Dauphin yet moved with his portrayal of the broken-hearted Edmund Mortimer. Actress Suzanne Marie, who played Joan, powered through her part. Most enjoyable were the tense exchanges between the oily Gloucester, played by Oliver Lavery, and Winchester (Morgan Thomas).
One minor criticism would be the use of printed paper as props – a shame as Lagan had covered all other bases, particularly with the dramatic final scene.
Image by Robert Piwko
