Playwright: Stanton Davis adapted from William Shakespeare. At: Oak Park Festival Theatre at Austin Gardens, Oak Park . Phone: 708-445-4440; $20-$25. Runs through: July 9
Oak Park Festival Theatre got off to a cold and wet start for its summer cycle of Shakespeare history plays. On tap through July 9 is The History of King Henry the Fourth (Henry IV parts I and II combined), and Henry V from July 14 through Aug. 20.
With outdoor theater you have to take what Mother Nature gives you, which on opening night for Henry IV was a mild drizzle that ended midway through Act I. These were not ideal conditions to see director/adaptor Stanton Davis' world premiere condensation of the Henry IV plays, since the audience was warned beforehand that Geoff Coates' fight choreography would be slowed down for safety reasons.
However, even with better weather, this Henry IV would be disappointing.
Davis' adaptation gives short shrift to Henry IV Part II in terms of political machinations. And Davis' double pressing of the Henry IV plays add up to a long evening lasting well over three hours, possibly making some wish that Oak Park Festival Theatre had just staged Henry IV Part I.
Davis' direction and overall staging concept is also a bit sloppy. Several scene changes feature actors as dignified characters shifting scenery in a gangly fashion, while the overall look is an olio of ancient and modern styles (particularly in Lindsay Schmeling's costumes that look more like a jumble sale than a specific period).
Not every performance in Oak Park Festival Theatre's Henry IV is up to snuff, alas.
As the hot-headed rebel youth Hotspur, Adam Meredith just plays up his character's anger with volume instead of a palpable motivation to drive it. And in the crucial role of Sir John Falstaff, a padded-up Jack Hickey unfortunately lacks the natural bravado to make the lovable and boastful drunkard command the stage like he should.
Much better work comes from the dashing Prince Hal of Dennis Grimes as the heir apparent wasting his youth slumming with tavern lowlifes. Grimes makes for a dashing presence onstage and believably gets across the character of a golden bad boy who must step up to his preordained responsibilities when a northern rebel uprising threatens the stability of the realm.
Although the play carries the title of Henry IV, the king comes across as a supporting character in service to Prince Hal's storyline. Michael Sherwin may be a bit more diminutive than one would expect for the kingly role, but he certainly gets across the regal and parental anguish of a troubled monarch.
I admit the chilly weather may have adversely affected my mood in sizing up Henry IV. However, the weather probably also hindered the performers. Keep that in mind if you want to catch subsequent Henry IV performances.