Henry IV, part I

I love Agecroft Hall and have been anticipating an evening of Shakespeare on its grounds all week. It's not The Globe but one can count on a ringside seat at The Richmond Shakespeare Company's productions. "Henry IV" was no exception, though it was standing room only. At The Globe, during Shakespeare's day, the groundlings stood or sat on the ground and they might boo or throw cherry pits on stage if they were displeased with a production. The Groundlings stand Globe as in Shakespeare's day and with their payoff being a more affordable ticket price. I dodged cherry pits during a production of The Tempest at The Globe during the summer of 1999 and wish we had been able to see the TRSF version which ran from mid June through the first week of July (during much kinder weather).

Agecroft Hall, one of Richmond's greatest treasures, offers theatre audiences the opportunity to picnic in its Elizabethan Gardens prior to enjoying a plein air production of Shakespeare. It is a delectable treat since the gardens surround a romantic Tudor Estate that was created in England more than 500 years ago. It was moved and painstakingly reconstructed in Windsor Farms by Thomas C. Williams during the late 20's and is currently run by non-profit foundation and is open to the public.

Scents of herbs and the ancient boxwoods from Agecroft's gardens waft over the crowd while the cicada and crickets add a sultry tone to this TRSF's version o Henry IV. Exciting moments of this Sopranos(ish) play were abundant but we particularly enjoyed the breezy wake cast by characters running from one another. How can a family feud in 100 degree heat with the sounds of summer as a soundtrack? Humor! The cast's ability to maintain their energy and enthusiasm in the heat wearing period costume was impressive but I couldn't help but wonder if it would have been more fun for them if they were dressed in the street clothes of today, weather appropriate, of course; as the thespians of Shakespeare's day. Maybe it wouldn't be as much fun? I know one thing - if they were Shakespeare's peers they'd be drinking pints of ale in the heat since potable water was much harder to come by. I hope to see Part II of "Henry IV" next summer since it was a very lively- if sticky evening.