“Henry IV, Part Two”

One of the great advantages of regular attendance at the Utah Shakespeare Festival — one of many — is that, because of the Festival’s determination to work its way through the Shakespearean canon, one is able to see relatively uncommonly-performed pieces, and, eventually, all of them.

Tonight, we saw a strong performance of “Henry IV, Part Two.”

It’s definitely not among Shakespeare’s greatest plays.  But parts of it are very good, indeed.

It’s mostly not about Henry IV, who is dying throughout the play.  Instead, the focus is on the aging knight and reprobate Sir John Falstaff and on Sir John’s friend and partner in decadence, Prince Hal, heir to Henry’s throne.  And, ultimately, on the transformation that turns the very unpromising crown prince into the great Henry V.

Another great thing about coming here is seeing old friends.  Thus far, among others, we’ve run into a former president of the Mormon History Association and her husband; one of my former deans; one of my former associate deans and a former president of the Helsinki Finland Temple, with his wife; and two members of our monthly reading group.

It’s a good place to be.

Posted from Cedar City, Utah