Jude Law As 'Henry V' Is (Probably) The Best Acting Performance Of 2013

The latest stage version of William Shakespeare's historic epic Henry V is currently playing to packed-out audiences at the Noel Coward Theatre on London's West End, with critics being particularly taken by lead man Jude Law, who portrays the embattled monarch in Michael Grandage's take on the show.

The last instalment of the Michael Grandage Company’s season on the West End, it may also be the best too, thanks largely to the star performance from its lead performer. After a successful 15-month season, consisting of five plays each performed at the Noel Coward Theatre, Henry V marks the end of Grandage's triumphant run, but he couldn't have ended things on higher note. Whilst praise has been distributed to the direction and stage design for the show, it is Law's lead performance that has captured critics and audiences alike, as the Dom Hemingway actor continues his good run of form as a critically acclaimed acting talent.

"This is one of the richest and most detailed performances of Henry V that I have ever seen," a thoroughly impressed Charles Spencer of The Telegraph said in his five-star review. He goes on to reflect on the play ambirably, calling it "fleet and dramatically gripping."

The Guardian's Michael Billington wasn't as blown away with the production as a whole, awarding it only four out of a possible five stars, but he was just as awe-struck by Law's performance as his Telegraph contemporary was. Saying Law delivers a "a fine portrait of a flawed hero," Billington adds, "Like the recent Donmar Anna Christie, it also shows Jude Law maturing with age and getting under the skin of a character. His complex portrait of a national hero-cum-war criminal is, you could say, the very antithesis of a hooray Henry."

In another four-star review, Metro critic Sam Marlowe called the production "a rich, riveting interpretation that triumphantly crowns the Grandage season," singling out Law's performance as "his most rousingly bellicose, it never sacrifices subtlety."

Henry V tops a successful season for Michael Grandage

Paul Taylor of the Independent commended Law's apparent maturity as an actor, arguing that "Law has left it not a moment too soon to tackle the part" of King Henry V. He continues, "With his receding hairline and the bags under the eyes, he's looking a bit lived-in for the warrior monarch whose youthfulness is mocked by the Dauphin of France. But in his leather jerkin and distractingly tight trousers, he cuts a commanding figure and Law here vividly blends the kind of natural charisma that can rouse tired troops with a brooding spiritual uneasiness that has its affinities with Hamlet."

"A deftly constructed performance that does justice to the character's complexity, though a touch more volatility is needed," said the Evening Standard's Henry Hitchings, who was impressed with Law, but felt a little underwhelmed with the rest of the production. Although describing the direction as "fluent," he adds, "as it drives along efficiently, it occasionally seems oddly colourless."

In an all-star ensemble for Grandage's last five plays, Law has pitted himself against Simon Russell Beale, Dame Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Daniel Radcliffe, Sheridan Smith and David Walliams, but even when stood next to such talent Law reigns triumphantly over the production.

Henry V is playing at the Noel Coward Theatre until 15 February, 2014.

Can we expect ot see more of Law on the stage following his Henry V triumph?