Early Shakespeare in full glory at Globe

This play, usually referred to as Henry VI Part I, sees director Nick Bagnall resurrect one of Shakespeare's earlier, more formative works. Here given its original title, Harry The Sixth is the first part in the trilogy which as a whole makes up Henry VI.

Bagnall is clearly a purist, and keen to bring some of the lesser-known works of Shakespeare to modern audiences, and Shakespeare's Globe provides the absorbing and atmospheric backdrop, heightening the feeling of authenticity in being a faithful replica of the original Globe, destroyed by fire at the same location in 1613. Whilst being the first in a trilogy, each play in the series can be enjoyed standalone.

What is Harry The Sixth about?

Beginning in the aftermath of the more famous play Henry V, cracks are beginning to show in those ruling the recently reunified United Kingdom. King Henry V is now dead, after having successfully united the warring factions in Britain to gain a foothold in France, and the infant monarch Harry is the target of the houses of Lancaster and York, who seek to manipulate his considerable power for their own gain.

Meanwhile in France, the youthful and ruthlessly ambitious rebel Joan of Arc is building up a head of steam in defiance of the English. It falls to Lord Talbot to counter this attack and reclaim the honour of the fractious kingdom. This early work exhibits masterful strokes for which Shakespeare became to be known: subtle wit; enthralling plot twists and characters who explore the best and worst of human nature.