Theatre review: Henry IV Part One, or Hotspur (Shakespeare's Globe)

Michelle Terry's Globe Ensemble returns for a second year with a couple of returnees from last year's cast - including, of course, Terry herself. This time around their shows are a continuation from the winter season's Richard II in what is intended to be a year-long complete run through both of Shakespeare's History Tetralogies. Sarah Bedi and Federay Holmes direct a trio that takes us to the end of the First (in historical if not writing order) Tet, and which as well as regular performances are also getting a handful of Trilogy Days, following the characters (those of them who make it) throughout the reigns of Henry IV and Henry V. There's also been renaming of these three instalments to reflect who the Ensemble see as the central character of each piece, so we open with Henry IV Part One, now named Hotspur after the fiery rebel played by Terry.

He's the son King Henry (Philip Arditti) wishes he had instead of Prince Hal (Sarah Amankwah,) who avoids royal duties in favour of drinking and playing practical jokes with Falstaff (Helen Schlesinger.)

However many times I see a Shakespeare play over the years there always seems to be scope to uncover something else, and Arditti's Henry makes crystal clear something that's right there in the text: His rift with his son doesn't just come from thinking Hal is feckless, it comes from very specifically thinking Hal is like Richard II. So as well as worrying that his bloodline too will lose the crown, he's worried that his son is going to show the position the same lack of respect as his predecessor. Hotspur, on the other hand, is leading a rebellion on behalf of his family's grievances dating back to Richard's deposition, so Henry sees him as his own counterpart, with likely similar success.

He's wrong, of course, and the retitled focus on Hotspur often shows how the two Harries mirror each other. We don't often see Hotspur in a lighter mood but when he does take pleasure in mocking Glendower's (Sophie Russell) claims that his birth came with portents of greatness, he shows as much capacity for mischief as Hal when he punctures Falstaff's lies. But these moments in control of his emotions are rare, and Terry makes a spirited rebel and a leader his people can rally behind. But it's just as obvious that he's a better warrior and figurehead than true leader, as his emotional rants make him easily manipulated for his uncle's (Steffan Donnelly) personal gain. And much as we might admire Hotspur's drive, his inability to regulate his emotions makes him brutal to his wife (Leaphia Darko,) making him hard to like.

Amankwah's Hal by contrast is personable and likeable, but crucially capable of turning the fury and violence on precisely when it's required. It nicely lays the ground for how his story will develop in the rest of the sequence; and with the fact that many people will be following this cast over the course of the day, John Leader's geeky, amiable Bardolph is setting anyone unfamiliar with the story up for a nasty surprise later on. Although the Eastcheap scenes are entertaining enough this isn't the funniest take you'll see on a play whose mix of comedy and drama made it such an instant hit, but Jonathan Broadbent's Ulster Mistress Quickly does steal her scenes. These Ensemble productions at the Globe are never likely to be the home for very high concept takes, but this start to the Trilogy Day suggests that as Terry's team get more confident with the format the individual plays are starting to get more of their own identity.

Henry IV Part One, or Hotspur by William Shakespeare is booking in repertory until the 11th of October at Shakespeare's Globe.

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes including interval.

Photo credit: Tristram Kenton.