Review: Henry 5 A Powerful Journey From Reckless Youth to Warrior King

Bell Shakespeare Henry 5 JK Kazzi Sydney Opera House

Shakespeare’s Henry 5 is a play of soaring rhetoric, high-stakes warfare, and the making of a king. In Bell Shakespeare’s riveting new production, Director Marion Potts strips the story down to its raw essence, offering a modern take on leadership and the price of ambition. Starring dynamic NIDA graduate JK Kazzi in his mainstage debut, this adaptation brings urgency and intensity to Henry’s journey from reckless prince to warrior king.

With stylised staging and a sharp focus on language, Henry 5 reimagines a centuries-old text for today’s audiences, without losing any of its power.

Henry V (as it is commonly known) is the final play in a tetralogy, following Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, and Henry IV Part 2. Shakespearean audiences know the title character’s journey, but modern viewers may not even recognise ‘Prince Hal.’ While some may have studied the play in school, few pick it up for light reading! This is where Henry V surprises them. Beyond concluding the previous stories, it stands on its own as a tale of leadership, rhetoric, and honour.

Prince Hal has shed his reckless youth to embrace kingship. After a humiliating insult from the French prince, King Henry wages war to claim the French throne. Against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to triumph at Agincourt, earning glory as a warrior king. But at what cost?

Bell Shakespeare Henry 5 JK Kazzi Photo by Brett Boardman — The set is stylised like a Ninja Warrior gym Photo by Brett Boardman

Potts’ direction for the play is clear, concise and confrontational. She delivers a powerful message to modern audiences, highlighting that, in the context of current wars, we are training young men to be sent to their deaths. Her creatives take this vision and run with it.

Anna Tregloan’s set is stylised like a Ninja Warrior training gym, and her costumes aptly fit both the athletic and the militaristic style. Jethro Woodward’s composition and sound design are immersive, placing us on the battlefield with the soldiers hearing every squelch, splutter and sliced throat.

Lighting by Verity Hampson perfectly highlights the dynamic moments of movement and intimacy by Nigel Poulton. In particular the climb through the tunnel and into France, the run/charge into battle and the third act mud/blood bath. Voice director Jack Starkey-Gill has the near-impossible task of guiding Australian actors to speak convincing French, and speak English with a French accent. As a French speaker myself, this was mostly successful.

JK Kazzi brings the iconic Henry to life with a compelling portrayal of the original underdog, skilfully capturing his transformation from a wild, reckless youth to one of history’s greatest leaders. Kazzi seamlessly blends Henry’s playful side with his intuitive nature, showing genuine care, understanding, and love for his people. This depth of character is especially clear when he exchanges gloves with a soldier after the famous St. Crispin Day speech, a moment that highlights his connection to those he leads.

Bell Shakespeare Henry 5 JK Kazzi Ava Madon Jo Turner — Jo Turner Ava Madon and JK Kazzi Photo by Brett Boardman

Other notable performances included Alex Kirwan’s charismatic Westmoreland, Ella Prince’s stoic Exetor and Ava Madon’s courageous Katherine.

Bell Shakespeare’s Henry 5 is a story about becoming a leader. It explores what is effective and ineffective, what unites and motivates, and what divides and conquers. It highlights the power of vulnerability and the burdens that come with kingship.

Whilst Henry 5 is based on real events and historical accounts, Shakespeare’s fictitious retelling allows us to interpret it through our own cultural lens. In such a space, questions arise about how we hold ourselves accountable in war and how we navigate a world where multiple ‘truths’ exist.

Henry 5 is as much an intellectual exercise as it is an emotionally embodied theatrical experience, and this new version by Bell Shakespeare is well worth seeing.

Henry 5 runs until 5 April at Sydney Opera House, then transfers to Canberra, Wollongong and Melbourne.

Tickets: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/bell-shakespeare/2025-season/henry-v

Website: https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/bellshakespeare/

National tour dates:

Canberra: 10 – 20 April, Canberra Theatre Centre

Wollongong: 30 April – 3 May, Merrigong Theatre Company

Melbourne: 11 – 25 May, Arts Centre Melbourne