Award-winning theatre company Antic Disposition’s critically acclaimed production of Henry V returns for a season of special performances in nine of the most beautiful buildings around the country from 26 March to 29 April 2016.
Presented in association with Shakespeare400, the production marks both the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616 and the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Following a twelve-performance run in the spectacular Elizabethan setting of Middle Temple Hall in central London from Saturday 26 March – Wednesday 6 April, the production will visit some of the UK’s finest cathedrals, including Winchester, Salisbury, Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester, as well as Christchurch Priory and Sherborne Abbey.
The tour will conclude with a special performance in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried – his tomb providing a magnificent backdrop to the production.
London press night: Wednesday 30 March at 7.30pm.
Set in a French military hospital in 1915, this reimagining of Henry V combines Shakespeare’s epic history play with original songs and live music inspired by the poetry of AE Housman. Performed by a talented international cast of British and French actors, the production celebrates the rich and turbulent relationship between our two nations, from the Hundred Years War to the Entente Cordiale.
Recent RADA graduate Freddie Stewart reprises his remarkable performance in the title role. Joining him in the cast are Floriane Andersen, Louis Bernard, Maurice Byrne, Marius Hesper, James Lavender, Andrew Lewis, Stephen Lloyd, James Murfitt, Dean Riley, Jake Samuels and Louise Templeton.
Antic Disposition, founded by director Ben Horslen and director/designer John Risebero, has won critical acclaim for staging visually striking productions in spectacular historic buildings. The company triumphed at the 2014 Peter Brook/Empty Space Awards, winning the Peter Brook/Equity Ensemble Award.
Henry V is directed by Ben Horslen and John Risebero, who also designs, with original songs and musical direction by Christopher Peake and lighting design by Tom Boucher.
Shakespeare400 is a consortium of leading cultural, creative and educational organisations, coordinated by King’s College London, which will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 2016. Through a connected series of public performances, programmes, exhibitions and creative activities in the capital and beyond, partners will celebrate the legacy of Shakespeare during the quatercentenary year.
LISTINGS INFO:
Antic Disposition presents
Henry V
by William Shakespeare
Box Office: 0333 666 3366
Book online at www.anticdisposition.co.uk
26 March – 6 April
Middle Temple Hall
Middle Temple Lane
London EC4Y 9AT
Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday matinees at 3pm
Tickets: £25 – £40 (Under 18s / Previews £10 off)
Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 April
Winchester Cathedral
Hampshire
7.30pm
Tickets: £25 – £35 (Under 18s £10 off)
Wednesday 20 April
Christchurch Priory
Dorset
7.30pm
Tickets: £15 – £25 (Under 18s £10 off)
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 April
Salisbury Cathedral
Wiltshire
7.30pm
Tickets: £25 – £35 (Under 18s £10 off)
Saturday 23 April
Sherborne Abbey
Dorset
7.30pm
Tickets: £20 – £35 (Under 18s £10 off)
Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 April
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol
7.30pm
Tickets: £20 – £30 (Under 18s £10 off)
Wednesday 27 April
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucestershire
7.30pm
Tickets: £20 – £30 (Under 18s £10 off)
Thursday 28 April
Worcester Cathedral
Worcestershire
7.30pm
Tickets: £20 – £30 (Under 18s £10 off)
Friday 29 April
Holy Trinity Church
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
7.30pm
Tickets: £20 – £30 (Under 18s £10 off)
★★★★★
“Antic Disposition have put together a truly amazing production of Henry V which left me spellbound and speechless.
“Freddie Stewart is a wonder in the title role and delivers an outstanding performance as the young monarch.”
LondonTheatre1
★★★★★
“This full-bodied, full blooded First World War Henry has a new depth in the hands of this talented young cast and production company.”
The Londonist
★★★★★
“Freddie Stewart’s Henry V is exceptional. This ingenious production is not to be missed.”
The Upcoming
★★★★
“A beautifully crafted production. Powerful, shocking and deeply moving.”
Stage Review
★★★★
“Antic Disposition have managed to bring off one of the most impressive revivals of a Shakespeare play that I have seen in recent years.”
British Theatre
★★★★
“A wonderfully imaginative and evocative staging of one of Shakespeare’s great histories.”
Everything Theatre
★★★★
“Antic Disposition have created yet another production that makes Shakespeare remarkably engaging and exciting. Poignant, perturbing and excellently acted.”
Ginger Hibiscus
★★★★
“A moving and thoughtful production executed by a skilful team of actors and creatives – catch it while you can.”
The Public Reviews