Christopher Plummer - Prologue to Shakespeare's Henry V

Video Title :	Christopher Plummer - Prologue to Shakespeare's Henry V
Description :	The audio clip comes from a 1990 recording Christopher Plummer made in St Jude's Church in London, with music (other than Plummer's own voice!) from William Walton's film score to the 1944 Laurence Olivier film. The photos come from Christopher Plummer's performance of Henry V at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada in 1956 (he was 26). According to all critics' reviews, his 1956 performance was absolutely outstanding. I am puzzled about only one thing... How could he play a believable King Harry when, in the courting scene, he had to deliver these lines to Princess Katharine: "I dare not swear thou lovest me; yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my visage. Now beshrew my father's ambition! He was thinking of civil wars when he got me: therefore was I created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that when I come to woo ladies I fright them." Can you imagine the angelic-looking boy you see in the photos pronouncing these words?!! :)
Views :	3766
Rating :	5.00
Keywords, Tags :	Christopher Plummer Shakespeare Henry the Fifth William Walton Stratford Festival Canada Theatre
Video Length :	3 : 0

Beautiful photos. I'd love copies of them. I think, if I'm not mistaken, you have brought Christopher's voice up a touch in your clip, as the original recording from Chandos has him so horribly in the background. Thanks for posting it. Walton's music really is wonderful. Were you aware, by the way, that William Shatner was Plummer's understudy in the production you have photograph's from? All the best, kindred spirit, Gareth Jones ...