Nervy performances

“The history play is rarely done even at theatres dedicated to the Shakespeare, only three times in this particular Canadian classical theatre company’s history before now – and canon completists are coming from far and wide to see it.

Director Martha Henry’s production, which has already been extended, won’t convince anybody that this is unjust neglect, mind you. But her off-beat and sometimes downright goofy take on the play features a few extraordinarily realized scenes that show us different shades of human dissatisfaction.

In between, the show offers an opportunity for some well-known members of the Stratford ensemble to try out nervy performances in the safety of the Studio Theatre with a text that doesn’t have a lot of preconceived notions weighing it down.”