Photo by Rob Cunliffe Photography
Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
Porters of Hellsgate at the Whitmore Theater
Through March 22, 2014
RECOMMENDED
The Porters of Hellsgate have staged a first-rate revival of the fourth and final play of Shakespeare’s Henriad Tetralogy. It’s infused with infectious brio by director Charles Pasternak, who complements the production with a refined, energetic performance in the title role, personifying a character that’s an engaging blend of mal and bon—light-hearted, cunning and lethal.
In Henry IV Parts I and II, Prince Hal was a wastrel and ne’er do well who frequented the taverns of London with the jolly Falstaff, but now the scrappy Henry V goes about the business of the Crown, waging war against France, executing prisoners and traitors without hesitation. Amidst the carnage and in a display of boyish giddiness (one of the play’s lighter moments), he woos Katherine (Eliza Kiss), the ravishing daughter of French King Charles VI.
This is a simple, no-frills production on a threadbare stage with chairs and a few simple props, but it soars on consistently high-quality performances, and Pasternak’s imaginative marshalling of his large cast and clever use of limited performance space. Leon Russom, James Hecht, Dana DeRuyck, and Alex Parker as the Dauphin, are especially fine in their principle roles. –Lovell Estell III
Porters of Hellsgate at the Whitmore Theatre, 11006 Magnolia Blvd.; N. Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 pm.; through March 29. (818) 325-2055, www.portershenryv.brownpapertickets.com
