The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.1890  Friday, 27 July 2001

From:           Nancy Charlton <
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Date:           Friday, 27 Jul 2001 00:21:07 -0700
Subject:        A Splendid Henry and a New Company

It seems to be a banner year for Shakespeare here in Oregon, with the
current Ashland season, a stellar *King Lear* in May, several school and
amateur performances and more to come. Now usually the Big O, as our
metro daily known, doesn't review the last mentioned.  So when they not
only reviewed but  devoted half a page to a production of Henry V by a
brand new company, it sounded worth going out of my way to see.  If
you're within any feasible distance, by all means try to see it this
weekend.

The company is Quintessence. Their focus is on words and what they can
do. This is given a fuller statement on their web site:
http://www.qlit.org

Henry is a minimalist production, 180 degrees around from the Olivier or
Branagh pageants.  Nine actors take 32 parts. There is no scenery and
very few props. There is a great deal of action, in places choreographed
like dance.

But the speaking! Clear, true, paced, intense. It is no wonder the Big O
chose to review it, for it is a breakthrough performance by a company to
take seriously.

Nancy Charlton

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