Salic Law Speech

Artistic director Edward Hall's production of Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theater includes the frequently cut "Salic law speech" ("the best speech in Shakespeare" – Mya Gosling, GoodTickleBrain), and friend of the pod Gregory Linington explains how he speaks the speech as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and how its inclusion is emblematic of the production as a whole. Gregory, who is a verse and dialect coach in addition to being an actor, shares how the speeches in this production are broken down surgically; how the historical Henry prized wisdom and experience over youth and moxie (as does this production); how director Hall fills the stage with a powerful ensemble of veteran character actors; how the famous "band of brothers" becomes a literal band; and how this powerful production balances contemporary flourishes with a traditional reading of the text. (Length 21:11) (PICTURED: The cast of Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Henry V, directed by Edward Hall. Photo by Liz Lauren.)

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