The Hollow Crown - Henry IV part 1

[llywela]

Henry IV is a different kind of animal than Richard II - a different style of play and also set in a slightly different era, demonstrating the passage of time and how society both has and hasn't changed in the interim. And the Shakespearean dialogue is always fairly impenetrable. But the Beeb's production values remain as rich for this second instalment as the first while the fabulous cast do a great job, again, of bringing that unwieldy dialogue to life, injecting it with real life and passion. I love how the production team scripted the Welsh dialogue for Mortimer's wife (unwritten in the original play - I dread to think what actors over the centuries have made of it) to fit her scenes - only the tiniest percentage of the audience will have understood a word she said, but still they made sure it was proper, flowery, Shakespearean dialogue nonetheless. And I really can't get over how much Joe Armstrong takes after his father, Alun Armstrong - the resemblance always more pronounced when they work together! It's not just looks, they really sound alike too - voice, mannerisms, everything!

Nice job, Beeb.