Leadership, rhetoric and charisma take centre stage in Bell Shakespeare's ambitious new production of Henry 5.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;Or close the wall up with our English dead.
Marion Potts makes a triumphant return to Bell Shakespeare after 15 years, directing this riveting new take on Shakespeare’s war-time epic. The production stars dynamic newcomer JK Kazzi as the young king who transitions from wayward prince to celebrated warrior.
The plot follows young Prince Hal who, having left his rebellious youth behind, assumes the mantle of kingship. After a humiliating insult from the French prince, King Henry launches England into war with France to claim what he believes is his rightful throne.
Against overwhelming odds, he leads his troops from despair to victory at the Battle of Agincourt, becoming hailed as both warrior and hero – though the production asks, at what cost?
Henry 5
- 1 Mar – 5 Apr: Sydney Opera House
- 10 Apr – 20 Apr: Canberra Theatre Centre
- 11 May – 25 May: Arts Centre Melbourne
Check out our gig guide, our stage guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
Written around 1599, Shakespeare’s Henry V was the final installment in his tetralogy chronicling the rise of the House of Lancaster. The original play follows the young king’s transformation from uncertain monarch to inspirational military leader, culminating in the against-all-odds English victory at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War. It features some of Shakespeare’s most stirring battle speeches, including the famous St Crispin’s Day “band of brothers” monologue and the rousing “Once more unto the breach” call to arms.
This compact, powerful production runs 1 hour and 50 minutes with no interval, promising an intense theatrical experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats throughout, with an impressive cast that includes Jack Halabi, Alex Kirwan, Odile le Clézio, Ava Madon, Harrison Mills, Ella Prince, Jo Turner, Mararo Wangai, Rishab Kern and Ziggy Resnick.
The creative team behind this fresh interpretation includes set and costume designer Anna Tregloan and composer/sound designer Jethro Woodward, who together craft a contemporary visual and auditory landscape for Shakespeare’s timeless exploration of power and war.
The production has already garnered strong critical acclaim during its Sydney run, with Stage Noise awarding it four stars and describing it as “Monochromatic, mysterious, and always compelling.” Theatre Now went even further with four-and-a-half stars, calling it “Fierce, thought-provoking, and deeply unsettling.”
For more information, head here.
