Review: Henry V at Temple Church – Insane Root
A thoroughly entertaining production of the Shakespeare classic in a historic Bristol location
★★★★★
Temple Church is an inspired location for Insane Root’s summer Shakespeare – Henry V.
The excellent choice shouldn’t really come as a surprise. The theatre company is well established in Bristol for taking classic plays and stories and staging them in what they call ‘unusual locations’.
The former church was mostly lost during the Bristol Blitz. Just its leaning tower and imposing walls remain.
It is within this area that the action takes place.
The space is surprisingly vast. It would be easy for the action to get lost. Director Natalie Simone, however, took full advantage of the multiple entrances, rear spaces and natural focal points to keep the audience focused.
Cleverly choreographed battle scenes taking place on Alice Sales’ central ramp deepened the sense of action.
As the evening closed in and with a gentle breeze at times, the outdoor production felt immersive. It was if we the audience, followed Henry to the battlefields of France.
With Alice Sales’ corset based costumes and Ellian Showering’s songs, at times, there was a Shakespearean Six vibe going on.
The cast and creatives on the show are all female or non-binary. This made the physicality of characters when displaying traditionally masculine traits really quite funny.
There’s plenty of humour to be found throughout – particularly loving Fowzia Madar teaching Esmée Cook French.
Siobhan Bevan’s Fluellen was outstanding in every scene.
Henry V might not be Shakespeare God Tier in terms of its popularity, but it has a brilliant balance of humour and drama. Tennis balls that start off as a joke become a thing of poignancy when counting the dead.
Charlotte East is Henry, giving a performance that is commanding yet also showing the character’s playful and vulnerable sides.
Alice Barclay is the Chorus. With the occasional mood-enhancing violin, Barclay remains on stage, an almost spiritual watcher of the action.
The rest of the cast multi-roll with snappy character changes and fantastic direction keeping the action moving along at a cracking pace.
Henry V by Insane Root really is a fun production that was thoroughly enjoyed by its audience. It’s a fresh take on the story, which strides out of dimly lit theatres and into the outdoors. With the church’s 14th century walls echoing the 16th century text, it feels like the play has very much come home.
Henry V will be at Temple Church until Saturday 02 August 2025
For more information or to book, visit: https://www.insaneroot.org.uk/henry-v-temple-church
Featured Image: Craig Fuller Photography
Cast and Creatives
Alice Barclay – Chorus
Siobhan Bevan – Fluellen/King of France/First Ambassador/Grey/Hostess Quickly
Esmée Cook – Katherine/Dauphin/Pistol/Governor of Harfleur/Gloucester
Charlotte East – Henry V
Meg Lewis – Exeter/Macmorris/Bardolph/Canterbury/Bates/French Soldier (Le Fer)
Fowzia Madar – Nym/Gower/Montjoy/Alice/ Scroop/Westmorland/Messengers
Anabella O’Gorman – Boy/Constable of France/Williams/Ely/Burgundy
Henry V was adapted by Natalie Simone & Craig Fuller for Insane Root
Director – Natalie Simone
Composer / MD – Ellian Showering
Sound Designer & Production Composition – Hattie North
Set & Costume Designer – Alice Sales
Costume Supervisor – Susie Pearce
Lighting Designer – Imogen Senter
Movement Director – Karla Shacklock
Voice Coach – Tess Dignan
Assistant Producer – Jasmine Orchard
Assistant Director – Haiqing Liang
Fight Director – Annie Mackenzie
Production Manager – Rachael Duthie
Company Stage Manager – Hannah Clare
Deputy Stage Manager – Anna Freire Camacho
Assistant Stage Manager – Seren Tuson
Community Programme Workshop Leader – Milena Paccani
Scenic Artist – Bethany Hastings
Set Builder – Chateaux Projects
Costume Makers – Jay Williams / Apple Blossom
Technicians – Abigail Simkin/ Joe D’Souza
Production & Rehearsals Photographer – Craig Fuller
Rehearsal Trailer & Film – Jack Offord
Home: https://backstagebristol.com/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chopsybristol.bsky.social
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@chopsybristoltt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backstagebristol
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chopsybaby
