Courtiers upstage flinty despot ‘Henry’ in Bard’s Tudor tale

Although many Americans probably associate Henry VIII with Herman’s Hermits’ lighthearted hit, "I’m Henry the VIII, I Am," a playwright of Shakespeare’s time would have had to tread carefully when writing about the powerful and ruthless English monarch.

Henry VIII was the father of Queen Elizabeth, also powerful and ruthless, who ruled England during most of Shakespeare’s lifetime. He was also the great-uncle of James VI of Scotland, who became king of England when the "Virgin Queen" died in 1603. Henry did not always treat Elizabeth well — he even had her mother executed so he could marry another woman — but she outlived Henry’s three other acknowledged children and eventually became queen.

The Hawaii Shakespeare Festival’s "Henry VIII" selectively covers pivotal events in Henry’s life from 1520 through the birth of Elizabeth in 1533. The story turns out to be almost as much about Elizabeth as Harry, as he was known.

Nicolas Logue (Henry VIII) looks every inch the Henry pictured in history books. Logue captures the personality of an absolute ruler whose hot temper and strong emotions impede his ability to distinguish bad advice from good. He gives the show a strong and vibrant core character.

However, as with "Cymbeline" and "Julius Caesar," the play’s title character is eclipsed by some of the others. Lala Buzzell (Katherine of Aragon) has beautifully written scenes that show Henry’s first wife to be an astute administrator, a loving wife and a loyal queen. Buzzell’s final scenes are heartbreaking and she plays them beautifully.

Alex Durrant (Cardinal Wolsey) morphs seamlessly from detestable puppet master to tragic antihero. Durrant’s work in the scene where the powerful cleric realizes he is in danger is a great moment in the show. Then, with Wolsey’s final scene, Durrant closes an impressive performance in memorable style.

Jason Kanda (Duke of Norfolk) claims attention early with his animated portrayal of a scheming courtier. Gerald Altwies (Duke of Suffolk), playing soft-spoken in contrast to Kanda’s expansiveness, is well cast as Norfolk’s partner in conspiracy. Jordan Savusa (Duke of Buckingham) dominates the opening scenes as another player of Tudor-era power politics.

Director Taurie Kinoshita has six actors play angel-like "fates" who control human destiny. All six also play human characters. They include Eleanor Svaton in a pair of solid comic roles as the midwife and confidante of Anne Bullen (Boleyn); Ryan I. Sue­oka, who oozes evil intent at the Bishop of Winchester; Daniel Mayberry as Cromwell; and Andrew Lum in a standout performance as the vulnerable but resourceful Thomas Cranmer.

Shakespeare never concerned himself with anachronisms. "Henry VIII" ends with Henry listening contentedly as Cranmer predicts the newly born Elizabeth will be a glorious ruler. The fact is that when Elizabeth was born, Henry expected her mother still would produce male heirs and had no reason to expect or want her to become queen.