As predicted, I enjoyed Henry VI, part III much better than when parts I and II were condensed into one evening. The plot still moved along quickly, but not so fast that you were constantly trying to figure out just who these new characters were and what plot line they were involved in.
The play was centered around the War of the Roses. And while there was still a large cast, it was much easier to tell the different sides apart, even though some characters changed allegiances throughout the play.
The third installment of Henry VI features many familiar faces, both in roles that carry over from parts I and II and as new characters if the original died earlier in the history play. One new face was TeAnna Mirfield, who plays Queen Margaret in the third installment, instead of Grace Pheiffer, who held the role previously.
While I was initially disappointed to see a new face, since Pheiffer played the role very well, Mirfield gives an equally strong performance. She particularly stands out in the scene where she learns that Henry has given away the crown to the heirs of Richard, Duke of York, thereby stripping her son, Prince Edward, of his birthright.
Mirfield and Bob Hanske, who returns as Richard, Duke of York, also play well off each other as Queen Margaret reveals that the Duke's youngest son, Rutland, who is only a child, has been killed.
Another actor to watch is Michael King, who plays Richard, the deformed son of Richard, Duke of York. King does an excellent job of contorting his body to portray a man with a shriveled arm, a humpback and one leg shorter than another. Standing in such a contorted fashion for the nearly three-hour play was no doubt physically exhausting, but no strain was visible on King's face. Rather he continued to deliver his soliloquies with enraged passion.
Posted in Theatre on Monday, July 20, 2009 1:25 pm | Tags: Henry Vi, William Shakespeare, Teanna Mirfield, Grace Pheiffer, Bob Hanske, Michael King, Genesius Guild
