Henry V Play Analysis

On March 24th I attended Henry V at the Geffen Play House. Henry V is Shakespeare’s eighth history play and follows Henry V’s invasion of France. During this performance there is a large focus on the use of hard edges and somber colors both of which lend themselves well to the numerous battle scenes and ominous depiction of war. This successfully gave the viewer a clear sense of space and place with eerie sound design, cool toned lighting, utilitarian costumes, and a seemingly minimal yet well maneuvered set. During this performance the cast did a wonderful job with their creation of space, all of which was informed by the sound, lighting, costume, and set design. The use of mezzo-soprano Cassandra Marie Murphy’s beautiful yet eerie voice did a great job of filling the theater with a sense of unease that, at times, can only be accomplished through the use of music. Her vocal accompaniment of the drummer during scene changes created an ominous thread throughout the play, which was most affective when she sang Non Nobis. The eerie sense that was created audibly was

Looking at the stairs from this perspective you are able to see more of its jagged edges, which beautifully informs the harsh, pointed, and angular aspects of war. As well as having the stairs face each other it mimics what the soldiers are doing, facing their foe. After the battle dies down the stairs are moved once more so the audience can only see the back of the stairs. The black underside of the stairs is littered with diagrams drawn on with glow in the dark paint and has now become a shelter for King Henry’s soldiers. The underside of the stairs with its dark and open structure helps to give the viewers the impression of a dark and dank barely there shelter. One filled with fatigued and ill soldiers and plagued by poor