Although a history play, the best moments in Illyria’s rain-soaked, open-air production of Henry V were the marvellous comic scenes.

Ben Goodridge, as Pistol, ably abetted by Andrew Lindfield as Nim and Ffion Glyn as Bardolph, was cracking; and Glyn’s portrayal of Catherine learning English was a hoot. Kevin James as her tutor, Alice, also excelled, and his portrayal of the snooty, ineffectual Charles VI was spot on. And all contributed to the ribaldry and rivalry of the national captains.

With only five players and no scenery, bar the backdrop of the spa’s facade, the need for quick changes of clothes and character added to the sense of fun and informality. The reconstruction of Agincourt using a garden rake, a cricket bat and some toy arrows was ingenious but the biggest laugh was reserved for the line “He could wish himself in Thames up to the neck” (given in all seriousness on the eve of the battle) as the heavens emptied once again upon actors and audience.

The drama and gravitas of the politics and war, however, were not overshadowed. James Dangerfield as Henry was powerful and imposing, although at times he could have benefited from a change of pace and tone in the set-piece speeches.

And the weather gave an added realism to the grim “rainy marching in the painful field” of Act Four.

The downpours forged a strong bond between soaked players and stoical, sodden audience – a band of brothers against the elements – which made for a quite memorable evening.