Henry VI: World-class Orgy of Gore and Humour

Charles Spencer reviews Henry VI pts 1,2, 3 by the RSC at the Roundhouse, Camden

By common consent, these early plays by Shakespeare aren't a patch on Richard II, the two parts of Henry IV and Henry V. Indeed, scholars are still divided over just how much of the Henry VI trilogy Shakespeare actually wrote.

Henry VI brings a sense of shivery mystery to the stage

But there is no feeling one is watching crude prentice work in Michael Boyd's knock-out production of this trilogy about England's bloody Wars of the Roses, a thrilling all-day orgy of gore-dripping violence, gallows humour and craven betrayal.