Spirited, Abridged Version of ‘Henry IV’

Flash-forward. Split-screen. Overlapping soundtrack. Hold on a slo-mo.

But this is no movie. It’s Albert Wachtel’s abridged adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” Parts I and II, at the Odyssey Theatre.

Since director David Straus conceived a film adaptation of the play first, also in collaboration with Wachtel, it’s no wonder that this stage version commences with a flash-forward to the deathbed scene from the close of Part II, or that the climactic battle scene between the rival Harrys transpires in a montage that can only be described as filmic.

Not to mock Straus’ cinematically inspired staging. On the contrary, what results is a lean, lively production with only occasional hints of gimmickry.

Kenna James’ passionate Hotspur jibes well with Tracey Ellis’ fragile yet earthy Kate, and David Kirkwood is a commanding King Henry. Unfortunately, it’s an uneven cast. The most ineffectual performance is Kevin Glikmann’s Prince Hal, who fails to make the transition from youthful callowness to manly maturity.

However, any production of “Henry IV” is as good as its Falstaff, and the marvelous Frank Dwyer makes Shakespeare’s comic cutpurse a most endearing rogue. Distinguished by Dwyer’s stellar turn, this production of “The Perils of Henry” gives Shakespeare the oomph of a Saturday matinee.

* “Henry IV,” Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends June 4. $23. (310) 477-2055. Running time: 3 hours.