King Henry V

This is the first stage history of Shakespeare’s King Henry V to cover the play’s theatrical life since 1599. Staging this play is a political act, and the substantial Introduction traces its theatrical interventions into conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to Vietnam and the Falklands. The stage and film history raises interpretative questions–is Henry V an epic of English nationalism, a knowing and cynical piece of power politics, or an anti-war manifesto? The volume also includes the play text, illustrations and detailed footnotes about major performances.