Henry V - Titchfield Festival Theatre, Titchfield Abbey

FOLLOWING his father's death, the erstwhile wild young Prince Henry accedes to the English throne as Henry V.

Kingship forces Henry to leave behind his drunken ways and he matures into a charismatic monarch, leading his people through skirmishes and wars.

Eventually, he rallies his troops at Titchfield - Once more unto the breach, dear friends - before leading the battle-weary English to victory at Agincourt.

Here Henry also wins the hand of Katherine, so uniting the English and French crowns.

Interestingly, as in Shakespeare's time, men played the female characters.

Such were the appalling weather conditions some dialogue was lost although Tony Johnson (Chorus) with super diction gave a lovely performance.

Performing outdoors, the cast's stoicism and fortitude in such weather conditions is to be much admired; and I admire also the audience, who braved the elements.

The abbey is a glorious setting for a robust production, complete with archers, gunpowder, smoke, and some slippery entrances.

Worth another visit.