FOR ALL EVENTS - CRITICS WORLD LEE HARTGRAVE

HENRY THE VI CAST. Courtesy Photo

FOR ALL EVENTS - CRITICS WORLD

DOES HENRY THE VI HAVE A DEATH WISH?

It would seem that way in Henry The Sixth Part Two. Henry has married the daughter (Margaret) of King Charles of France. But as we know this is a marriage of convenience. The palace is full of intrigue. Henry’s royal relatives are plotting and scheming to get rid of young Henry, so that they can take over the monarchy. However, Henry believes that everyone loves him and that they would not do him any harm.

Some of Henry’s true loyal friends are imprisoned by Henry’s relatives. The plotters imprison anyone that agrees with Henry and they sadistically murder those that try to protect Henry. Henry may be next. Even Queen Margaret is even in on the plot to kill Henry.

Henry has to make concessions to his relatives to keep from getting his head cut off. He doesn’t know whom to trust. That’s the funny thing about Henry. He thinks everyone in the end will love him. Well – they don’t. He takes a back seat to the Throne. Henry finally realizes that he might be the next target. Merrily, the relatives are very busy killing each other that they seem to have overlooked Henry – at least for the time being.

The Actors at the Box Car Studios on Hyde Street are enormously talented. Better acting would be very difficult to find. Shakespeare’s gripping story is a difficult mess. It’s hard to figure out who is who – and who did what to whom. Henry, of course is very trusting. Here is what Henry says about his plotting Uncle (the Protector) – “The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given to dream on evil, or to work my downfall.” Well, so much for trusting your relatives – the Duke (Uncle) plots to dethrone Henry. 

The Sets and lighting certainly made for a scary look, and the sound effects are thrilling.

THE SPLENDID ACTORS ARE: Vallarta Lichen – Ian Hops – Jeremy Forbing – April Fritz – Casey Worthington – Caleb Carbrera – Ben Landmesser – Andrew Akraboff – Allison Combs – Will Hand – and Samuel Richie. You don’t find this much talent on a small stage anywhere. Intellect and emotion coexist in this mesmerizing production.

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! – trademarked- 

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