UCLU Drama Society

Bloomsbury Theatre plays host to Shakespeare's first instalment of King Henry IV, chronicling the rise of Hal from licentious lout to moral monarch.

Prince Hal, son of King Henry IV, is squandering his life away among the whores, drunkards and fools of Eastcheap. The greatest of these petty rogues is the fat knight, Sir John Falstaff: a gluttonous liar, sponger and cheat, who also possesses the wit, warmth and immense intelligence of a more honourable man.

Alongside these scenes of glorious misrule are the gatherings of a national rebellion, led by the Duke of Northumberland, the Countess of Worcester and the capricious Henry Percy (otherwise known as Hotspur). When the two storylines collide, Hal must face the brutality of the battlefield and finally confront the harsh reality that it is time for him to grow up. Henry IV Part I unveils Shakespeare's unique combination of talents, showcasing compelling power politics, war-time tragedies and belly-aching comedy.

But do not expect a traditional student production. While remaining true to Shakespeare's original text, his celebrated characters will be hurtled forward four hundred years into London, 1940, where the city is on the cusp of a different war. King Henry IV's patriotism will become Churchill's resoluteness in the face of conflict; the rebels' defiance transforms into that of the Nazi sympathisers, led by the Wallace Simpson-esque Worcester.

The King's throne room will be presented as a replica of Churchill's wartime office; similarly, the Boar's Head Tavern will become the quintessential 1940s bar, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper and the aesthetics of noir films. Falstaff and his merry band of brothers will embody the growth of swing and jazz music, Hollywood movies, experimental fashion and the all-encompassing reaction against the austerity of war.

Using historically accurate costume and music, and combining it with a close analysis of the original text, the production will strike the balance between traditional and unconventional, creating an immersive and inclusive experience for everyone. So, whether you are a Shakespearean scholar or an utter novice, Henry IV Part I at the Bloomsbury Theatre will be an evening to remember.